Boat Crash On Sacramento River Sends 6 To Hospital

CLARKSBURG (CBS13) – A wild ride on the Sacramento River sent six boaters to the hospital Sunday afternoon.

The Yolo County Sheriff's Department is investigating the collision between two speedboats on the Sacramento River by the Clarksburg Marina.

Shane LaRue and his dog Clyde are shaken with some scrapes and bruises.

"I never thought that would happen," LaRue said.

Both were launched into the Sacramento River after a violent boating collision.

"I was trying to get everyone back on board, but then as I'm doing that I'm realizing the prop is still spinning and the boat was turning, and then I was trying to get everyone away from the boat," LaRue said. "As I was swimming I didn't think that everyone would make it, that's for sure."

Paramedics carried six people up the Clarksburg Marina docks and into awaiting ambulances.

LaRue was one of just two people who survived the crash without being sent to the hospital.

"I was the one that called 911," witness Mary Clark said.

Witnesses on the riverbanks said the sound of the collision was as intense as an explosion.

"You just realize how mortal everybody is. I mean yourself, too," Clark said.

LaRue said the drivers of the boats saw each other late and turned the same way to avoid the collision, but ended up slamming sides.

"By the time they made their move there was no time to slow down at all, it was already over," LaRue said.

Sheriff's deputies were investigating damage to a black striped boat and a blue and white boat — the one LaRue was in – to determine who is at fault.

"I just hope all my friends are alright," LaRue said.

All of the injured taken to the hospital are expected to be OK. The Yolo County Sheriff is investigating whether any charges should be filed.