UPDATE: A professional angler is facing charges after the bass boat he was operating at high speeds collided with another boat during an NPFL tournament event in North Carolina on April 16, resulting in a local resident being hospitalized.
A report from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission says Angler Jessie Ayers, who was competing in the fishing tournament, was reportedly traveling at speeds between 60 and 60 mph at 7:16 a.m. near the Lake Norman State Park boat ramp when his vessel struck the side of a fishing boat idling nearby. The collision threw both men into the water.
Nearby boaters responded and pulled both Ayers and the local fisherman from the water. Both men were transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening injuries for treatment.
An investigation conducted by the wildlife commission determined “operator inattention” was the cause of the crash, and Ayers has been charged with careless and reckless operation of a motorboat, reports the Queen City News.
The incident occurred on the opening morning of the National Professional Fishing League tournament held April 16 -18.
“We’re extremely grateful that this incident did not result in any severe injuries,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller. “Our primary concern is always for the health and safety of our anglers and anyone else using the water. We take boating safety extremely seriously.”The crash occurred the same morning as another tragic boat crash during a Major League Fishing bass tournament event that resulted in three fatalities. The crash, involving angler Flint Davis, killed three men aboard a center console boat.
Originally Published April 16: At least one person was injured this morning in an apparent boat collision on the opening morning of a National Professional Fishing League (NPFL) tournament event on Lake Norman in North Carolina.
The NPFL issued a statement before noon stating that at about 7:30 a.m. emergency personnel responded to a “boating accident on Lake Norman involving two vessels, including one operated by National Professional Fishing League angler Jessie Ayers of Antlers, Oklahoma.”
Everyone involved was accounted for and transported for medical evaluation, according to the release. No life threatening injuries were reported.
“The cause and circumstances of the accident will be investigated by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission and other appropriate authorities,” the release says.
According to a report from qcnews.com and the Iredell County Sheriff’s Office, two boats were involved in the crash and Emergency Medical Services, the sheriff’s department, and local fire personnel responded to the scene. One person sustained injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, the report says.
“We’re extremely grateful that this incident did not result in any severe injuries,” said NPFL President Brad Fuller in a statement. “Our primary concern is always for the health and safety of our anglers and anyone else using the water. We take boating safety extremely seriously.”
The NPFL says more details about the incident will be released when available.
The league reminded the public in its release that NPFL Rule 10 requires competitors to wear personal floatation devices (PFDs) whenever the outboard motor is running and in gear. Additionally, competition boats must be equipped with “emergency ignition shut-off devices designed to stop the outboard if the driver is separated from the driver’s seat.”
The event hosted on Lake Norman, North Carolina marks the first NPFL tournament in the Tar Heel State. The three-day tournament runs April 16–18, with takeoff and weigh-in at Blythe Landing Park.
