Lake of Ozarks Boat Crash Caught on Video

[woolznaz]

I just had the pleasure of spending a week on LOTO as we do every year. I boated it with no problems at all in a 21 foot open bow boat and had no issues at all. I was NOT on the quiet part of the lake. Our house is at the 8mm, and all of our boating was from the dam (0 mm on the Osage arm), to the 5 mm on the Gravois, to the 33 mm on the Osage arm. This is the busiest section of the lake, with the reputation of being rough. Again, we had no problems, no scary moments -- not one! We never do. Of course, we use our head. We boated every day and every night, having dinner at one of the lake's great restaurants every night of the week. Quiet nights. Busy nights. We loved them all. All you have to do is use your head. This was during The Shootout week (which is why we were there) so there were 100+ mph boats all over the place, running by our cove (near The Toad and Shady Gators for those of you that know the lake). We loved every second of it and it is why we drive 1400 miles each way to enjoy it. There is no substitute for LOTO. It is just incredible. With just a little common sense, it is as safe as any lake in the country. There is a reason we make the long journey to enjoy it.

Last year we did the same trip in a 19 foot open bow. Again, no problems. Not one.

Bad things can happen to all of us, but I don't think you can blame this on anyone but the operator. Did you see his hands working the throttles? Do you think he was pushing the boat beyond his capabilities? No lanyard. No life jackets. I think this was nothing more than a very serious and lucky learning experience for this boater and I suspect he will be a much safer boater from this point forward. Maybe it was just bad luck, cutting the operator a break to allow for that possibility. The fault, however, does not belong to LOTO or any boat that made the wake he lost control on. I promise the little 19 bow rider or 21 foot bow rider I have used on LOTO would have had no problems negotiating the wake (obviously at a safer speed).

[Kalop]

I watched the full version on youtube, not much longer really.

This was "suggested" crash video on youtube, it's AMAZING how fast these type of accidents happen, and the below crash wasn't even really a big wake


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UEETjztLqI

[ArkieBoater]

Copied from another boating forum, take it for what it is worth:


Post from person on board when it happened:
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
09-02-2012, 04:24 PM #99 DrReedJ Registered
Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 52 1999 Phantom F1-17 Hey guys, I was a passenger in this boat during the accident. Yes, there are many cardinal rules broken. The most important one I feel is no life jackets worn. As crazy as it seems, we had jackets for each person but as the poker run began we realized no one else was wearing them..... How foolish we were. I have read so many nasty comments on YouTube and other sites I am in shock. My wife suffered 4 broken ribs, punctured lung and a broken foot. She has not left the house since getting home. She is in severe pain. The driver crushed his eye orbital and broke hus back at T8 ( he is a former F-2 racer with APBA). Another passenger who raced professionally for many years broke his pelvis in several places and is in a wheelchair. One of the other girls crushed her eye orbital also. The guy from lake tv fractured his hip and broke his wrist. My injuries were minor compared, busted my head open and damaged a rib or two. Everyone is black and blue. This was a very upsetting event for everyone involved. I have been around powerboats for many years and it only takes on unguarded minute to loose a life or permanently hurt people you love. I am very thankful this did not end up worse. I hope everyone learns from this. I know I will boat differently. All of the guys in the boat are members of OSO. I think it is necessary to break down the accident and discuss this, just remember these are real people who like you who love power boating and do it every weekend

[Ron Burgundy]

It's tough to be in that situation. I can't place judgement on them. Yes they should have done some things differently, but hopefully people will learn from this. I'm sure a lot of people are saying 'That could have been me.' They should all thank god no body died.

[Kalop]

Wow, Arkie what forum did you get that from??? That's very moving.

And, yea Ron, over the years I've boated without life jacket, I've gone too fast, I've hit wakes wrong, I've not always had my lantern attached.... I can think back in my 20's at all the dumb sh!t I've done (mostly OFF the water) and I'm very blessed to still be alive.

[ArkieBoater]

The first hand account was a repost on Lake Pirates forum, from another forum. A bit like saying I heard this from my wife's cousin , who heard it from her boyfriends second stepson, etc. etc.
That is why I said take it for what it is worth, the internet is a strange place sometimes.

[smoker62]

The post quoted was by the guy who was sitting in the back of the boat. 20 plus pages of this topic from some serious offshore boating guys. They are all members at that forum.

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/gene ... lover.html

[ArkieBoater]

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/gene ... er-10.html IT was post number 99 in this forum, straight from the horses

mouth.

[Ron Burgundy]

On Yahoo.com it's on the front page now.

[guy48065]

That video has gone viral in a hurry & there are hundreds of nasty comments from A-holes who apparently have never made a bad judgement in their life
I know I've been guilty of pushing the limits when someone brings out a camera!

[Redneck_Randy]

On Yahoo.com it's on the front page now.

Yahoo yanked the video. I saw it on Yahoo also and when I went back about 10 minutes later it was gone.