Boating Accident - nasty

[pedrochemical]

People should know about this.
If you go swimming in Boca Chica you need to keep your wits about you.

Sunday, a power boat ran over 2 people.
The young lady had her arm chopped off and blead to death shortly afterward.
The young man has his foot chopped off but survived.
The incident happened as night fell over the tourist beach at Boca Chica at around 7pm.

You will see speed boats, banana boats and cruising craft mingling with the swimmers. There is no control and this was bound to happen.

I was not an eye witness, thankfully, but this did happen and people should know.
I have described the events as they were related to me.

Please take care, people.

 

[Chirimoya]

It was in the papers yesterday. The report I read said that a military officer was at the controls of the boat so he is likely get away with it.

One of the downsides of living in a country where rules are not enforced.

 

[Uzin]

There are also these banana boats in Sosua beach and as I usually swim out to the reef I get really worried about being hit by one of these. But they are usually manned by fairly experience drivers - who do it for a living. I wonder how much expertise that military guy had - probably didn't check where he was going and missed them completely....

 

[catcherintherye]

The drivers of the banana boats are experienced???? Experienced at what?

They are basically kids with attitudes, who do not care who or what is in their way, from what I have observed.

In most instances, there is no spotter, so you have a kid pulling a bunch of other kids on a tube, in the water, at high speed, with no adult supervision.

It's always fun until someone gets hurt.

 

[Uzin]

Comparing to once in while military driver, you and me, they are a lot more experienced in handling and maneuvering a boat because they are doing it every day. Yes, they are reckless and go too fast sometimes but you can't deny their skill in handling the boat. I have also observed them and they are pretty good at it, I wish they were more careful, that's all - though I have never witnessed any incident all these years... (BTW the two I know are well over 25, not really kids in my book)

 

[presidente]

I pulled her out!

Unfortunatly I was sitting at the restaurant on the beach directly infront of the place where the people were hit. One dominican man sitting with us saw the boat hit the people. I had my back to the beach at this time.He ran into the water and yelled for help. I immediatly also ran and swam out to help. I carried the injured girl back to shore not knowing the extent of her injuries as it was very dark. we carried her on a beach chair to the lit street where her injuries became clear. I checked her breathing and pulse and both were negative. Believe me she lost more than just her arm. I believe she was dead by the time she got to the beach. I am only writing this to see if anyone out there has any more info on this accident as it was the most traumatic thing to ever happen in my life. My thoughts and love go out to her family and friends. I did all I could but it was too late. Please post a reply or private message me if anyone knows anything!!! if there is any online newspaper articles or anything more. Thank you very much.

 

[GKLSY]

People should know about this.
If you go swimming in Boca Chica you need to keep your wits about you.

Sunday, a power boat ran over 2 people.
The young lady had her arm chopped off and blead to death shortly afterward.
The young man has his foot chopped off but survived.
The incident happened as night fell over the tourist beach at Boca Chica at around 7pm.

You will see speed boats, banana boats and cruising craft mingling with the swimmers. There is no control and this was bound to happen.

I was not an eye witness, thankfully, but this did happen and people should know.
I have described the events as they were related to me.

Please take care, people.

About a year and a half ago I saw a young girl playing at the edge of the water get hit by an out of control jet ski in front of the Dom. Bay, and you are right to be thankful that you did not witness this recent accident because seeing something like that stays with you. Some people later told me that she had died while others said she had recovered. Do you know where news of this sort would be published? Even now, I would be relieved to hear the she did in fact recover. I worry everytime I see motor boats among swimmers whether it's dark or not since someone swimming underwater might not be noticed even in the day. Generally, I appreciate the freedom in the DR, but I think this is one situation that might be better if there were some regulations.

 

[Lambada]

presidente, well done on your efforts and empathies for the way it turned out. It is indeed horrifying to discover that the person you have rescued has died. I found some articles: one details the extent of the injuries of the deceased woman. It also says her companion was taken to the public hospital where he waited for some 3 hours until a PLD official who was also a doctor was able to get an ambulance to take him to Dario Contreras. Also says the airforce guy driving the boat took off but was captured by Navy & Politur & there is a criminal investigation.
Bote parte una mujer, hiere amigo - ElNacional.com.do

Joven de 24 a?os muere al ser impactada por bote en las aguas de la Playa de Boca Chica

 

[presidente]

thank you Lambada

Thank you very much for the articles. I really wish I could describe the severity of what I saw and felt but it is much to graphic and disrespectful to put on this sight. If there are any names released that anyone knows of the family I would love to contact them as Im sure that poor young lady died in my arms.....very sad. Actually after thinking about one of the articles I believe that the girls name may have been included but my spanish is not good enough to know for sure. If you can help me with the translation It would be greatly appreciated. thanks again

 

[Stuart Polkinghorne]

Comparing to once in while military driver, you and me, they are a lot more experienced in handling and maneuvering a boat because they are doing it every day.

Sorry but the military do not handle boats you must be thinking of the NAVY...

As a former boat owner, skier, ski driver and fisherman. It's very sad and my heart goes out to the families.
Boating laws in other countries ( Australia ) are very well thought out and harshly enforced.
5knots 30m from shore.... But it was only a year or so ago this applied to the jet ski... It took two young girls to be run over and killed before something was done... To little To late....
I really hope the Resorts, hotels and local Mayors will call for some changes and charges in this case before it happens again..

 

[Lambada]

If you can help me with the translation It would be greatly appreciated. thanks again

Her name was Ilonca Mariv? Alm?nzar. This piece in Diario Libre says death was instantaneous:
Muere joven atropellada por bote en Boca Chica - DiarioLibre.com

The pathology report certified death due to massive hemorrhage as a result of loss of arm, breast and the head injuries sustained. I won't go into any more detail, presidente, because you know it anyway. They did a post mortem and then gave the body to the family so since this happened last Monday, I'm guessing the funeral has taken place, although I haven't seen any reports of it.

She lived in Urbanizaci?n Lucerna, Santo Domingo Este, according to the papers. If you're trying to contact the family, my guess is many people in the Urbanizaci?n would know them. Alternatively the Institute of Forensic Pathology would know their address.

Again profound empathies for what you went through.

 

[Uzin]

Comparing to once in while military driver, you and me, they are a lot more experienced in handling and maneuvering a boat because they are doing it every day.

Sorry but the military do not handle boats you must be thinking of the NAVY...

I also meant that the military do not normally have any experience in driving boats, unless they have been trained privately. (by "they" I am referring to those who work the boats on daily basis)