The two FBI workers who were killed in late September after their boat traveling down the Ohio River slammed into a massive barge have been identified. Bryce Eastlick, 28, and John Stack Jr., 29, were both employees with the Cincinnati office of the FBI.
The two victims were found dead on the boat when rescue workers arrived. It is believed that they died on impact. Officials said the accident is under investigation and is being handled by the Cincinnati office of the U.S. Coast Guard and Louisville office of the Kentucky Department of Fish & Wildlife Resources. It is not yet known whether alcohol was a factor in the crash, but officials said the investigation could last months.
There are many contributing factors associated with why boat accidents happen, but the most common is boater inexperience. Because of this, it is highly recommended that any boat operator should take a safety course, which will cover different scenarios, laws, navigation rules and other important issues. In fact, many insurance companies now offer a discount as an incentive to complete a boating education course.
The second most common contributing factor for boating accidents is operator inattention. Being out in the water provides a lot of opportunities for visual stimulation, but a boat operator must always be most attentive to what really matters — safely navigating the vessel. One thing to consider is that boats do not have breaks and water, more so than roads, provides a level of unpredictability that forces an operator to quickly react.
To learn more about what do to after a boating accident, including your options for seeking compensation from negligent parties, speak with the skilled southwest Ohio personal injury lawyers at Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen LPA, Co.