Alton Bay Boat Launch Incident

[Stinger]

Scary incident this evening ~6:15 at the Alton Bay boat launch. Two gentlemen were apparently attempting to retrieve a ~20' Sea Doo boat. We were just coming in from a day on the lake and as we passed the launch we saw the pick-up truck backing down the ramp to retrieve the boat. The truck kept going in reverse, past the wheel wells, next thing he is in the water and floating. The trailer and boat (apparently the winch line was already attached) pulled the truck ~50' off shore. The driver frantically lowered his window and exited the pick-up as it was sinking. We and other boats nearby were throwing life preservers to the man. He finally got a hold of a nearby pontoon boat and was eventually brought back to shore. Very scary incident. Man seemed to be okay, EMTs had him sitting at the boat launch as we left the scene. The truck went to the bottom in ~15 feet of water.

We ended up having a blue Stearns Adult X-Large life vest that one of our guests picked from the water but I did not notice it until we had returned to the slip. The vest is on the dock post at Slip 128 in Parker Marine, hopefully the owner is on this forum and can retrieve it.

Thanks to all who were in the area and offered assistance !!

[VitaBene]

Originally Posted by Stinger

Scary incident this evening ~6:15 at the Alton Bay boat launch. Two gentlemen were apparently attempting to retrieve a ~20' Sea Doo boat. We were just coming in from a day on the lake and as we passed the launch we saw the pick-up truck backing down the ramp to retrieve the boat. The truck kept going in reverse, past the wheel wells, next thing he is in the water and floating. The trailer and boat (apparently the winch line was already attached) pulled the truck ~50' off shore. The driver frantically lowered his window and exited the pick-up as it was sinking. We and other boats nearby were throwing life preservers to the man. He finally got a hold of a nearby pontoon boat and was eventually brought back to shore. Very scary incident. Man seemed to be okay, EMTs had him sitting at the boat launch as we left the scene. The truck went to the bottom in ~15 feet of water.

We ended up having a blue Stearns Adult X-Large life vest that one of our guests picked from the water but I did not notice it until we had returned to the slip. The vest is on the dock post at Slip 128 in Parker Marine, hopefully the owner is on this forum and can retrieve it.

Thanks to all who were in the area and offered assistance !!

The boat ramp can be the source for hours of entertainment.

[Slickcraft]

WMUR has a short story and some photos:
http://www.wmur.com/news/28434144/detail.html

[CrownRay]

reminds me of that FORD commercial from a while back...A guy is driving his (F-150?) past a boat ramp, and the same thing is happening...a Chevy sinks into the water after slipping down the ramp...the Ford guy's wife says "Wow, that sank fast!" and the Ford guy replys, "Yeah, like a rock!"

Awesome!