Aug. 7 (UPI) — Two Boy Scouts in Texas were killed and one injured after their sailboat ran into a transmission power line Saturday, authorities said.
The two Boy Scouts who died in the accident were 16 and 18. A third Boy Scout, 11, was found unresponsive near the accident. Bystanders gave him CPR and he was transported to a nearby hospital, according to a statement from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
The names of the victims have not yet been released. The status of the 11-year-old has not been made public at the time because he is a minor.
The accident occurred in Lake O’ The Pines in East Texas. The boys, who were all wearing personal flotation devices, were on a Boy Scout outing at the time and riding a Hobie Cat Catamaran with the sails up. The vessel was found on fire with the 18-year-old inside and the two other boys nearby.
“It was tragic scene,” said Texas Game Warden Quint Balkcom, reported KTRK.
The Texas Game Wardens are investigating the incident.
“This is an extremely difficult time for our Scouting family. We are very sad to confirm the deaths of two youth participants following a boating incident. A third youth has been airlifted to an area hospital after sustaining injuries,” said Dewayne Stephens of the East Texas Area Council and a Boy Scouts of America executive. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families. We will support them in any way that we can.”
