Original Story:
CULLMAN COUNTY – A two-vessel crash that occurred at approximately 7:03 a.m. Wednesday, April 16, has claimed the life of an Altoona man.
Joey M. Broom, 58, was fatally injured when the Center Console vessel he was onboard was struck by a Nitro Bass Boat. Broom was pronounced deceased at the scene. The crash occurred near the Miller Flats area of Smith Lake in Cullman County.
The crash has also resulted in multiple injuries and Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division are currently on scene investigating.
The following agencies responded to the scene and are currently assisting: the Cullman County Sheriff’s Office, Cullman County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), Cullman County Dive Team, Cullman County Coroner’s Office, Cullman County Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Crane Hill Fire Department, Breman Fire Department, Cold Springs Fire Department, Logan Fire and Rescue, Jones Chapel Fire and Rescue, Alabama Fire Marshal’s Office along with Troopers with ALEA Marine Patrol Division.
ALEA is also requesting that individuals avoid the immediate crash area as investigators along with other first responders continue to process the scene. As additional information concerning the crash becomes available it will be provided.
First Update:
Two more individuals have been recovered from Smith Lake.
John K. Clark, 44, of Cullman and Jeffrey C. Little, 62, of Brandon, Miss., who were both onboard the Center Console vessel involved in this morning’s crash, were thrown overboard during the incident. Both individuals drowned and have been pronounced deceased. However, their bodies were recovered near the Miller Flats area of Smith Lake in Cullman County.
Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division are still actively investigating this incident.
Second Update:
Flint A. Davis, 22, of Leesburg, Ga., who was the operator of the Nitro Bass Boat, was injured in the crash and was transported to Cullman Regional Hospital in Cullman, Ala., for medical treatment.
Gary W. Holcomb, 51, of Cullman, Ala., was the operator of the Center Console vessel, was also injured and transported to the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) Hospital for treatment.
Luke H. Morgan, 30, of Albertville, Ala., was another passenger also onboard the Center Console, was also injured and transported to UAB Hospital for medical treatment.
This identifies all the individuals involved in the crash, one individual onboard the Nitro Bass Boat, Flint A. Davis. The five individuals onboard the Center Console vessel, the operator Gary W. Holcomb, the passenger who was injured Luke H. Morgan, as well as the three fatalities Joey M. Broom, John K. Clark, and Jeffrey C. Little.
Nothing further is available as Troopers with ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division continue to investigate.