Runaway Motorboat Kills 1, Hurts 3

by Brian A Kennedy | July 9, 2007 at 05:03 am

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An out-of-control, unmanned motorboat in the Connecticut River hit a sailboat, killing one and seriously injuring three of the sailboat's passengers. According to witnesses, the motorboat went on a full-throttle rampage through the river, running in circles at almost-top speed and capsizing another boat whose crew was trying to lasso it.

The incident happened south of the Amtrak bridge between Old Saybrook and Old Lyme, officials said.

Coast Guard officials and investigators from the state Department of Environmental Protection, which investigates boating accidents in the state, were at the scene late this afternoon. The Old Saybrook police had also responded, officials said.