A fatal collision between a motorboat and houseboat on Shuswap Lake was only a matter of time, according to a regional district board member.
A 40-year-old Anglemont man died Saturday following a collision that occurred as an estimated 300 to 400 people dispersed in boats following the annual July 4 fireworks over Magna Bay, said Denis Delisle.
“Everybody sees all these close calls and they go, ‘Boy, someday, someone is going to get killed, and then it will be a big to-do.’ Well, here it is.”
Eight others were taken to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops suffering an assortment of injuries after the head-on crash.
The speedboat launched out of the water and into the interior of the houseboat.
The collision occurred at 11:20 p.m. Saturday in the middle of the lake after a fireworks display near Magna Bay, according to RCMP Cpl. Dan Moskaluk.
Three people were aboard the speedboat, an 18-foot Campion Runabout, and 13 others were on the 40-foot houseboat.
Wounds ranged from minor bruises to fractures and head injuries. Two people remained in hospital yesterday.
Other boaters in the area assisted, providing first aid and towing the boats ashore.
The 40-year-old Anglemont man, the operator of the houseboat, was pronounced dead at the scene.
RCMP have not released his identity.
