A collision between a private jet boat and a Hellgate Jetboat Excursions vessel on the Rogue River left multiple people injured on Sunday afternoon. The incident, which occurred near Two Bit Riffle, involved quick action from both passengers and crew to ensure safety and provide aid to the injured.

Key Takeaways

• Incident Location: Rogue River, near Two Bit Riffle, approximately 2 miles downriver from Robertson Bridge.
• Injuries: Multiple people were injured, with five transported to the hospital by ground ambulance.
• Response: Passengers and crew from the Hellgate boat acted swiftly to assist those on the private boat.
• Investigation: The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident and working to remove the sunken private jet boat.

The Collision

At 12:39 p.m. on Sunday, a 9-1-1 call reported a boat collision on the Rogue River. The private jet boat, carrying six people, collided with a Hellgate Jetboat Excursions vessel shortly after the latter had set out from a brunch location. The private boat struck the Hellgate boat along the side and eventually sank into the river.

Makena Wadsworth, a passenger on the Hellgate jet boat, described the surreal experience:

"We watched it get closer and all of us were probably thinking the same thing, is he gonna hit us? No, he couldn’t hit us, there’s no way. And he did end up hitting our boat."

Immediate Response

The Hellgate boat captain and crew quickly jumped into action, ensuring everyone on the private boat was accounted for. After checking for damage, the commercial jet boat continued to Hellgate Lodge, where passengers were evaluated by medical personnel.

"For me, our captain is my hero. I gave him the biggest hug when we got to the dock and asked if he was okay. I’m extremely grateful for him and his crew on-board," Wadsworth added.

Capturing the Moment

Mitch Ruis, another passenger on the Hellgate jet boat, captured the accident on his GoPro. He provided a still frame showing the private jet boat turned sideways just before impact. Ruis, who was seated at the front of the Hellgate boat, recounted:

"We had two more Hellgate jetboats immediately behind us as we were on the way up river from the OK Corral Brunch. I counted six people in the water and confirmed after finally finding the small boat captain that he had six on board. I immediately yelled back to our boat captain to radio back to his partner Hellgate boats that they had six souls in the water coming his way."

Heroic Efforts

Damien Rennie, a passenger on a second Hellgate jet boat, realized something had happened and, along with his friend Brad and the boat’s skipper, pulled three people out of the water to safety. Rennie described the scene:

"All of a sudden there was a bunch of commotion and I looked up and all of a sudden saw people and belongings in the river. Him (Brad) and I were quick to jump over the rail and start pulling people in."

They used life-jackets to aid an injured woman who was later taken to the hospital. The condition of the injured woman remains unknown.

Ongoing Investigation

The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the crash and attempting to remove the sunken private jet boat from the Rogue River. The quick actions of the Hellgate boat captain and crew, along with the assistance from passengers, undoubtedly prevented further injuries and ensured a swift response to the emergency.

Sources

• Hellgate Jetboat Excursions jet boat accident with private jet boat – KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2, KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2.
• Image captures moment before Rogue River Hellgate jet boat crash – KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2, KOBI-TV NBC5 / KOTI-TV NBC2.