LAKE HAVASU CITY – Two California residents were fatally injured in a boating accident on the Colorado River. Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) boating deputies responded to the incident near the Topock Gorge, north of Lake Havasu, at about 4:50 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7.
MCSO public information specialist Anita Mortensen said that deputies located a boat near the California shoreline and that firefighter personnel began treating two victims.
“One occupant of the watercraft was pronounced deceased on scene,” Mortensen said. “The second occupant was transported to an awaiting medical helicopter and was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.”
The deceased are identified as James Rutherford, 53, and Noah Welch, 33, hometowns unavailable.
“It was determined that the watercraft, a 2002 25-foot Daves Custom Boat, was traveling northbound on the Colorado River at a high rate of speed,” Mortensen said. “The boat lost control and struck the rock shoreline on the Arizona side of the river. The boat continued where it came to rest in the reeds of the California shoreline.” Investigation is ongoing.
Dave Hawkins
