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Saturday, June 27, 2009
Alcohol likely involved in fatal boat accident, authorities say
Two men killed, one injured when boat crashes into Huntington Harbour bridge.
By SARAH TULLY
The Orange County Register
Comments 64| Recommend 16
Investigators have found evidence that alcohol was involved in this morning's double fatal boat crash in Huntington Harbour, a Sheriff's Department spokesman said.
Two men died early this morning and one was injured when they hit a bridge during high tide about 1 a.m. today. The men needed to duck to avoid striking the bridge, but they failed to do so, said Jim Amormino, spokesman for the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
One of the dead men was identified as Shawn Michael Wilson, 35, of Huntington Beach. He was the driver and registered owner of the 12-foot inflatable Zodiac boat.
The second dead man was identified by the Orange County coroner's office as Caleb Steele, 30, of Huntington Beach.
The man who was injured is James Geekie, 37, of Huntington Beach.
Investigators found empty beer cans in the boat and also learned that the men had been drinking at local bars before they took the ride, Amormino said.
Rescue workers ended a massive overnight search when they found the body of Steele at about 9 a.m. under a dock. Shortly after the crash, searchers found Wilson's floating body.
Geekie was in the middle of the boat and was knocked backward into the boat. He initially passed out, but regained consciousness. He was taken to UCI Medical Center for treatment of head injuries, Amormino said.
Police first received a call at 12:54 a.m. of reckless boating through Huntington Harbour. About 10 minutes later, a caller reported that two men were in the water near the Gilbert Avenue bridge.
Huntington Beach Fire Department and Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol officers responded to the scene near 3291 Falkland Cir., where they found that a boat had crashed into the bridge. Officials then began rescue efforts.
The boat, which veered into a dock, was towed in for evidence, Amormino said
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