Burns & Broken Bones: 8 Injured in Boat Explosion
A boat explosion in Huntington Harbor Saturday morning injured eight of the nine passengers.
The 26-foot power boat was mid-channel at Peter's Landing Marina when it exploded around 11:30am. OC Sheriff's Harbor Patrol and a retired Harbor Patrol man retrieved eight passengers from the water. Passengers, who were knocked into the water by the blast, suffered burns and possibly broken bones. Half of the victims were taken to trauma centers while the other half were transported to hospitals. The ninth passenger was uninjured.
Passengers ranged in age from teenagers to age 50. CBS LA reported that at least three passengers were under the age of 18.
Deputy William Nelson told The OC Register that boat explosions are usually caused by a gas leak and a spark, which can ignite from starting the engine. A plume of dark smoke hovered above the wreckage.
A resident of Trinidad Island reported that her family had to close the windows of their home due to the potent stench of burning plastic from the explosion. Seal Beach residents heard the explosion, which rattled windows in the area.
The type of boat has not been released, and cause of the explosion has yet to be determined. A witness said the boat "burned down" and was "destroyed."
An investigation is underway.
