The mother of one of the four people injured when the boat they were riding on exploded on Lake Sinclair Friday said she is still amazed there was no loss of life as a result of the accident.
Friday around 2 p.m., a boat carrying six people exploded and sent four people to the hospital and subsequently to the Augusta Burn Center. William Holland, 18, of Wilmington, N.C.; Evan Holland, 22, Lofton Mitchell, 22, and Ryan Little, 17, all of Milledgeville; Troy Brantley, and a sixth person were aboard the boat.
The boat had reportedly just been put in the water, and the six were planning on knee boarding on the lake in the vicinity of Airport Island. The craft was running around a cove at approximately 3,000 rpms when Cummings said the occupants aboard the boat reported hearing a loud boom, and all six were either ejected or jumped from the boat as it exploded.
A lake resident heard the explosion, saw the fire and called 911. All people aboard made it to shore.
Cummings said Baldwin Fire Rescue, the Georgia DNR and the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the call and Will Holland, Evan Holland, Little and Brantley were transported to Oconee Regional Medical Center for treatment. She said that all were able to leave of their own accord following treatment, and that at least some went on for out-patient burn treatment.
In an e-mail sent to The Union-Recorder Monday, Evan Holland’s mother said her son swam a severely burned and almost drowning Ryan Little to the shore, using one arm to hold Little and his other arm and hand, burned from the explosion, to swim. She said her son was calling to the others to “swim, swim” and that it helped the boys know where to swim to safety.
Lofton Mitchel reportedly assisted the unnamed boater to shore after the accident. She said according to her son, the events after the explosion felt as though they were happening in “slow motion, like something out of a movie.” She also said that her son kept close watch on cousin Will Holland, visiting from North Carolina, never taking his eyes off him.
She said Evan Holland was burned on his arm and hand, and cousin Will Holland suffered second and third degree burns to his legs. Both were treated with skin grafts at the burn center in Augusta, and Will Holland has returned home to North Carolina and will follow up with treatment at the Charleston, S.C., burn center. Evan Holland has returned home and will follow up with treatment at the Augusta Burn Center.
The boat was a total loss and burned to the waterline, Cummings said, making investigation next to impossible. Cummings did say that according to the ranger who worked the accident, no charges were pending and no alcohol was involved.
Local News
Related Photos
-
Jonathan Jackson
Discussion
No loss of life
Family relates heroic acts after explosion
- Local News
-
-
Arbor Day Program to be held at Lockerly
Lockerly Arboretum will hold its Arbor Day Program next weekend to celebrate the best time to plant trees in Georgia.
-
Progressive pianist Jon Schmidt will be in concert
Progressive pianist Jon Schmidt will be in concert at 7 p.m. at the Goldstein Performing Arts Center on the Georgia Military College campus.
-
Falun Gong exercise class will be held
Falun Gong exercise class will be held at 1 p.m. at Central City Park (formerly Bonner Park) free of charge.
-
Free computer classes for seniors will be held
Free computer classes for seniors will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Senior Citizens Center in Baldwin County.
-
Digital Bridges, Georgia College partner for free income tax program
Digital Bridges and the J. Whitney Bunting College of Business at Georgia College have partnered with the IRS to offer certified tax preparation assistance for the Milledgeville-Baldwin County community.
-
Digital Bridges Open Computer Clinic is open
Digital Bridges Open Computer Clinic is open from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Knight Community Innovation Center, 127 W. Hancock St.
-
Oconee River Greenway Authority board meets
Oconee River Greenway Authority board meets at 1:30 p.m. in the President’s conference room on Georgia Military College’s campus.
-
State Elections Board investigating Kidd petition signatures
Georgia state Rep. Rusty Kidd said the Georgia State Election Board is investigating some of the signatures on his initial petition filed with the agency in order to be placed on the election ballot as an independent candidate.
-
Cafe Central is open every Tuesday
Cafe Central is open every Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Freedom Church in Milledgeville.
-
Man charged with aggravated cruelty to animals
A man has been arrested and charged with aggravated cruelty to animals following a welfare check conducted by the Milledgeville Police Department.
- More Local News Headlines
-
White House Attacks Romney on Birth Control
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Mo. Teen Gets Life Sentence for Killing Girl, 9
Lower-hassle Screening to Be Tested at Airports
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Helmet Camera Captures Calif. Fire Rescue
Worker Tells 911: Powell 'exploded the House'
Triple Win: Santorum Takes Minn., Mo., Colo.
Injured Marine Inspired by Homecoming
No Rape Charges Against Son of NYPD Commissioner
Egypt's Ruling Generals Play Risky Game With US
Former Komen Exec Defends Funding Cut
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
Calif. Gay Marriage Ban Ruled Unconstitutional
Jury Selection for Ex-UVa Athlete Enters 2nd Day
Cab Driver Helps Wis. Family Escape House Fire
Staff Removed at LA School During Abuse Probe
Runaway Goat Leads Police on Wild Chase
