Boater rescued after collision with barge

By TAYLOR BROWN

tbrown@yourmvi.com

An unidentified boater was flown by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh area hospital early Saturday morning after a fishing boat was hit by another vessel on the Monongahela River near Speers.

Charleroi Fire Chief Robert Whiten Jr. said crews from Charleroi and Donora were dispatched to the scene around 1:30 a.m. Saturday, about half a mile south of the Speers boat launch.

Whiten said a fishing boat with three people was on the river without lights and was hit by a passing tug boat carrying barges.

“A few people were out fishing, but they did not have lights on their boat and a tug came through and hit them,” Whiten said. “Before we got there, another tug went out to the scene of the accident to hook onto the fishing boat to keep it from sinking.”

Swift water rescue crews helped to pull the boat and residents to shore. One unidentified person had to be flown to an area hospital from a landing zone stationed at the Mon Valley Career and Technical Center. 

Whiten said the condition of the boater was unclear Sunday afternoon. 

In addition to Charleroi and Donora, crews were assisted on scene by Charleroi Regional Police and Mon Valley EMS.

Whiten said the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission was immediately notified. The Coast Guard will investigate the incident.

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