Boat Crash, Critical Injuries In Brentwood School Fishing Tournament: Report

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A high-speed morning on the Delta turned chaotic in seconds this weekend when two boats collided during a high school fishing event.

Authorities say two boats collided just before 7 a.m. near Orwood Resort in Brentwood, injuring six people and sending one to the hospital in critical condition, according to KTVU and news reports.

The crash unfolded as dozens of high school teams launched for a bass fishing tournament organized by the Student Angler Federation. One boat slowed in a low-speed zone while another vessel struck it from behind, with the impact forcing one boat on top of the other, authorities said.

Fire crews from the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District responded around 6:55 a.m. to reports of a water rescue. By the time crews arrived, nearby boaters had already pulled victims from the water and began towing damaged vessels back to shore, according to KTVU and news reports.

Witnesses described a violent collision. One competitor, Rory Castle, said the impact launched one boat 20 feet into the air.

Boaters nearby rushed to help before first responders arrived.

Officials said three people were thrown into the water but reached shore with the help of life vests, while those who remained inside the boat suffered more serious injuries. Four of the six injured were transported to hospitals.

The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office said only one of the boats slowed in the no-wake zone. Investigators continue to examine the circumstances of the crash.

Event organizers said about 50 high school teams had gathered for the competition, with each boat carrying two teenage anglers and an adult operator. One teen suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung, while an adult remained hospitalized overnight, according to KTVU and news reports.

“It was a pretty bad accident… we need to drive these boats like the school buses here with all these kids on board,” said Barry Sterud of the California Bass Federation, according to KTVU and news reports.

Organizers said they review safety rules before each event, including spacing, speed limits, and boating etiquette. The tournament continued and serves as a qualifier for a national championship in Kentucky later this year.