Man dies after boat crashes into island on lake

A man died after a boat crashed into an island. (Source: WKYT)
Published: May. 1, 2024 at 12:11 PM EDT

Russell Co., Ky. (WKYT/Gray News) - A man died after a boat crashed into an island on a lake in Kentucky.

Authorities said 37-year-old Anthony J. Williams was killed when a boat crashed into Cemetery Island on Lake Cumberland around 1:30 a.m. Saturday.

Authorities said another person was injured in the incident and required immediate medical attention for their injuries.

A man died after a boat crashed on Lake Cumberland. (Source: WKYT)

“You’re just, you’re running things through your mind, you know ‘what’s going on? Have we lost a life? Or do we have someone badly injured?’” Sergeant Wayne Wilson said. “From that very moment until you get to the scene, you’re trying to gather information.”

Wilson said the lack of light out on the water contributed to the dangerous conditions faced by those involved, such as not being able to see floating objects including logs and trash.

“They were operating after dark and that enhances the dangers,” he said. “You can’t see those things floating in the water.”

Wilson said it is important to maintain a safe speed when boating on the water and to wear a life jacket to prevent drowning deaths.