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6 injured in Calif. boat crash

Rescuers pulled victims out from under the steering wheel and passenger side glove compartment of a boat

By Lori Consalvo
The San Bernardino County Sun

LAKE HAVASU, Calif. — Several people were injured in a serious boating accident at Lake Havasu, near California Cove in Needles.

Lenny Clem, 39, and James McCarthy, 41, both from Chino, were found trapped inside a large ski boat after it crashed, according to a San Bernardino County sheriff’s news release. They were discovered about 10:30 p.m. nearly 50 feet into the desert, away from the shoreline.

Lake Havasu City firefighters had to pull McCarthy and Clem from under the steering wheel and passenger side glove compartment.

McCarthy and two passengers were taken to the Havasu Regional Medical Center in Lake Havasu City, Arizona and treated for fractures and other serious injuries, according to the news release.

Clem and two other passengers, who had fractures and other life threatening injuries, were flown to trauma centers in Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona.

Sheriff’s deputies said they believe McCarthy was driving the 21-foot Shockwave ski boat at 50 mph about 10 p.m. Friday on Lake Havasu toward a launch ramp and struck the shoreline.

Everyone on the boat was injured.

Sheriff’s deputies are investigating the collision and believe alcohol was involved.

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