3-Year-Old OC Girl Struck By Boat As It Plows Onto Shore

NEEDLES, CA — A 3-year-old girl was hospitalized with serious injuries after she was struck by a boat at a popular tourist destination on the Colorado River, authorities said.

The collision was reported at 3:46 p.m. Saturday. Deputies responded to a boat collision in the Park Moabi Channel in Needles, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities said the girl was hurt after the boat's operator backed away from the shoreline and accelerated forward onto the shore, striking a beached pontoon boat. A 46-year-old man was also struck by the front of the boat and thrown onto the beach. The girl was struck and became pinned underneath the boat after it came to rest on the shoreline.

Bystanders helped deputies at the scene to lift the boat and free the girl who sustained major injuries, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities said the injured victims are residents of Huntington Beach.

The girl was airlifted to a hospital in unknown condition, and the man suffered minor injuries. No other injuries were reported.

The crash remains under investigation.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, deputies arrested at least 15 people for boating under the influence of alcohol on the Colorado River, Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead, authorities said.

A separate boat collision was also reported Sunday in the Park Moabi Channel. No injuries were reported, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Anyone with information about the May 23 incident was asked to call Deputy W. Poe of with the Needles Police Department at 760-326-9200.

Anonymous tips can also be provided to We-Tip at 1-800-782-7463 or online at wetip.com.