Boat involved in Newport Harbor crash recovered, towed

A capsized vessel struck by a fast-moving cigarette boat near the mouth of Newport Harbor has been recovered and towed to dock, officials said Monday.

The 25-foot race boat hit the slower-moving 14-foot power boat about 9:30 p.m. Sunday, said Newport Beach Fire Department Capt. Glenn White.

Four injured passengers were in the water for five to seven minutes before they were reached by rescuers, White said. The man and three women were taken to local hospitals, according to the Fire Department.

One person was initially unconscious when rescuers arrived but later regained consciousness, White said.

Injuries included lacerations, breathing difficulty and a possible fracture, according to the department. Information on the patients’ conditions was not available Monday afternoon.

Because of the point of contact, the smaller boat protected the passengers when it flipped over, sparing them from the full force of the larger boat, White said.

“They’re very lucky someone didn’t get knocked out and drown,” White said.

Those on shore described hearing the revving of an engine and a loud bang, and some initially attributed the noise to fireworks, White said.

It wasn’t until the Huntington Beach Police Department helicopter illuminated the scene that the crash became apparent, White said.

Orange County Sheriff’s Dept. Lt. Jeff Hallock declined to comment on the boats were speeding because the crash investigation was continuing.

Deputies with the sheriff’s Harbor Patrol interviewed the three men from the cigarette boat Sunday night, White said. The men were not arrested or cited at the scene, Hallock said.

The speed limit at the harbor entrance is 5 knots, White said.

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