News Update!!: Needles, CA and Topock, AZ: Latest Information: Boat collision along the Colorado River.
Here is the latest information regarding the boat collision along the Colorado River between Pirate’s Cove Resort in Needles, California and Topock 66 Resort in Topock, Arizona that occurred on Saturday, September 1st, 2018.
** As of 9:24am PT on Thursday, October 18th, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is continuing our search efforts of the last missing boater after a collision that occurred on September 1, 2018. Today and tomorrow, divers will be in the water conducting underwater searches, along with continuous top water and shoreline searches. There will be a strong law enforcement presence on the water today, and intermittent closures are in place for the diver’s safety in several areas of the Colorado River and Lake Havasu. Please be aware of law enforcement vessels in the area and use extra caution when approaching these vessels.
** As of 6:00am PT on Thursday, October 18th, 2018: **
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Colorado River Station, Dive Team will be conducting search operations on the Colorado River from Park Moabi to Lake Havasu on Thursday, October 18th, 2018 and Friday, October 19th, 2018 in support of the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office fatal boat collision investigation.
There may be closures on the river during the operation.
As stated earlier this week, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office would like to inform the community of the ongoing search efforts being conducted in regards to the last missing boater Raegan Heitzig from the boat collision that occurred on Saturday, September 1st, 2018.
Future Dive Operations were scheduled for October 18-21, coordinated with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, and have now been rescheduled to October 18-19 and will include intermittent river closures for the safety of the divers.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is in no way discouraging the community’s efforts to create volunteer search teams, however, any future large scale searches conducted by volunteers should be coordinated with Mohave County Sheriff’s Office so as to not hinder any previously scheduled plans made by the Division of Boating Safety.
Our searches have continued since the collision to include shoreline and top water searches, diving, Search and Rescue dogs, kayakers, drones, helicopters, and sonar.
Our agency feels very strongly that this search will not end until Raegan Heitzig is located, and our main goal remains wanting to bring closure to the family and the community.
** As of 4:00pm PT on Saturday, October 13th, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office would like to inform the community of the ongoing search efforts being conducted in regards to the last missing boater from the boat collision that occurred on September 1, 2018. Future Dive Operations were scheduled for October 18-21, coordinated with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office, and have now been rescheduled to October 18-19 and will include intermittent river closures for the safety of the divers. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is in no way discouraging the community’s efforts to create volunteer search teams, however, any future large scale searches conducted by volunteers should be coordinated with Mohave County Sheriff’s Office so as to not hinder any previously scheduled plans made by the Division of Boating Safety. Our searches have continued since the collision to include shoreline and top water searches, diving, Search and Rescue dogs, kayakers, drones, helicopters, and sonar. Our agency feels very strongly that this search will not end until Raegan is located, and our main goal remains wanting to bring closure to the family and the community.
** As of 3:40pm PT on Friday, September 14th, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to search for the last missing boater after a collision that occurred on September 1st. Our search efforts will not be completed until the last missing boater is accounted for. Please use caution this weekend as law enforcement vessels will be on the water focusing on top water and shoreline searches and as well as utilizing side scan sonar.
** As of 11:00am PT on Wednesday, September 12th, 2018: **
According to Mohave County Sheriff’s Office’s Public Information Specialist Anita Mortensen, “The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office will continue to search until the last missing boater is accounted for. The divers have been called off for the time being, and our searchers are focusing on top water and shoreline searches. Side scan sonar is being used by our agency and if something underwater is questionable, our agency’s divers will investigate. Updates in this case are being posted to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page, and will be posted when an update is necessary. For now, a daily update is not necessary as we are continuing the search every day just like we have been. When something new is discovered, it will be posted.”
https://www.facebook.com/MohaveCountySheriffsOffice/
** As of 9:41am PT on Monday, September 10th, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is continuing search efforts for the last missing boater after a collision that occurred on September 1st in Topock. Searchers are focusing on top water and shore line searches down river near Lake Havasu. Please be aware of law enforcement vessels in your area and use caution while searches are being conducted.
** As of 4:00pm PT on Friday, September 7th, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is continuing the search for the last missing boater after a collision that occurred on Saturday (9/1). After 6 days of continuous searching, it has been determined that we have exhausted our search efforts near the site of the collision and we will be moving our base of operations from Topock 66 Marina to the Lake Havasu City Water Safety Center. This move will not impact our search efforts, and we will continue to focus on top water and shore line searches, while utilizing our Division of Boating Safety and Volunteer Posse staff. This move will broaden our search area a great deal and move our focus further down river. We want to thank all of the agencies that have assisted us with our search so far, and we appreciate the support and encouragement from the community during this tragic event.
** As of 12:00pm PT on Friday, September 7th, 2018: **
** Pictures from ZachNews: **
The Incident Commander with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office tells ZachNews that the command center at the Topock 66 Marina in Topock, Arizona is being relocates south near Lake Havasu City, Arizona well search efforts continue for the last boater.
The last boater still missing is being identified as Raegan Heitzig from Ventura, California.
Earlier in the week, the bodies of 51 Years Old Christine (Christi) Lewis from Visalia, California; 24 Years Old Kirra Drury from Ventura, California and 50 Years Old Brian Grabowski from Tulare, California were found following a boat collision that occurred last Saturday.
Deputies with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station along with search crews are determined to find the last boater, not wanting to give up and plan to keep going.
** As of 9:34am PT on Friday, September 7th, 2018: **
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Colorado River Station, Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement and Aviation Deputies continue the search of the Colorado River today for the missing boater. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.
** As of 10:25am PT on Thursday, September 6th, 2018: **
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is continuing our search efforts of the last missing boater. Today began with our morning briefing, and crews went into the water shortly after. Today’s efforts include divers, top water and shoreline searches, drones, helicopters, and side scan sonar. Multiple different agencies are involved in the search and working together for a resolution.
There will be a strong law enforcement presence on the water today, and closures are in place for the diver’s safety. Please be aware of law enforcement vessels in the area and use caution.
** As of 8:49am PT on Thursday, September 6th, 2018: **
** Pictures from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station: **
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station, search efforts are continuing on Thursday, September 6th, 2018 along the Colorado River on the water and in the air supporting the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office in the search for the last missing boater in the boat collision last Saturday.
** As of 11:00pm PT on Wednesday, September 5th, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, crews have so far located the bodies of 3 of the 4 missing people who went following last Saturday’s boat collision.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the third missing boater was located in the Colorado River at approximately 12:35pm MST Tuesday and was identified as 24 year old Kirra Drury from Ventura, California.
Earlier, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the second missing boater was located in the Colorado River at approximately 9:00am MST Tuesday and was identified as 50 year old Brian Grabowski from Tulare, California.
On Monday, September 3rd, 2018, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the first missing boater was found at approximately 7:30am MST, and was identified as 51 year old Christine Lewis from Visalia, California.
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, there is 1 boater still missing as of Wednesday evening.
ZachNews has learned that the last boater still missing is being identified by family and friends as Raegan Heitzig from Ventura, California.
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, we will continue to patrol the Colorado River until all the unaccounted for passengers are located.
ZachNews and the community sends our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the family and friends of the victims in the boat collision.
** As of 3:36pm PT on Tuesday, September 4th, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Division of Boating Safety is continuing the search for the missing boaters after a boat collision that occurred on Saturday (9/1). The third missing boater was located in the Colorado River on Tuesday (9/4) at approximately 12:35 PM and was identified as Kirra Drury, 24 from Ventura, California. At this time, 1 boater is still missing. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office will continue to patrol the Colorado River until all the unaccounted for passengers are located.
** As of 10:35am PT on Tuesday, September 4th, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Division of Boating Safety is continuing the search for the missing boaters after a boat collision that occurred on Saturday (9/1). One of the missing boaters was located in the Colorado River on Tuesday (9/4) at approximately 9:00 AM and was identified as Brian Grabowski, 50 from Tulare, California. At this time, the other 2 boaters are still missing. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office will continue to patrol the Colorado River until all the unaccounted for passengers are located.
** As of 7:36pm PT on Monday, September 3rd, 2018: **
** Pictures from ZachNews: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, at about 4:00pm PT on Monday, September 3rd, 2018, a detective from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department – Dive Team was assisting with the dive operations on the Colorado River when he suffered minor injuries from a dive related illness. The detective has been helping the past two days in dive operations trying to find the missing boaters that were involved in an unfortunate boating collision on Saturday night.
This detective has been very tenacious with his involvement by participating in over ten dives the last two days trying to do his best to help the family members get some sort of closure. He is an experienced diver and has served on the department’s dive team for over 15 years with our dive team.
The detective was taken by ground ambulance to Havasu Airport, escorted by Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, and our Aviation Division’s air rescue helicopter flew him to Arrowhead Regional Medical Center to be treated. He is expected to have a full recovery and was only admitted as a precautionary measure.
Due to darkness, fatigue, and safety concerns dive operations have stopped for the day. The multi-agency joint dive operations will resume tomorrow morning for the missing boaters.
Today’s operation had over 30 law enforcement divers conducting underwater searches. These conditions are very rigorous and straining due to heavy current, dive depth, and heat conditions. Divers are in full gear with over 100-degree temperatures outside. Over the last two days, divers have covered over 5-miles of the waterway from the Park Moabi Channel to Topock Gorge.
** As of 5:23pm PT on Monday, September 3rd, 2018: **
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station, the Dive operations have concluded for the day.
They will resume on Tuesday, September 4th, 2018 morning at which time the Colorado River will be closed to all boat traffic from Topock Gorge to the Sand Bar.
There will be no through access to the area.
** As of 12:00pm PT on Monday, September 3rd, 2018: **
ZachNews has learned that Christine Lewis was the stepdaughter of retired Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office released that following statement on their Facebook page regarding the terrible boat accident on the Colorado River this past weekend which said, “We are deeply saddened to hear about the horrible crash on the Colorado River. We know that there will be families right here in Tulare County grieving the loss of their loved ones for days, months and years to come and our hearts absolutely go out to them. We do know one of the victims, 51-year-old Chrisi Lewis, a Tulare County resident, did not survive the crash. Lewis is the daughter of one of our farm managers and the step-daughter of former Tulare County Sheriff Bill Wittman. Sheriff Boudreaux spoke with the family this morning and is in constant contact with them. We are also keeping in close contact with the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, who are heading up rescue and recovery efforts. And we’re ready to provide whatever assistance they might need. Please keep the families of all of those affected by this tragedy in your prayers.”
Earlier this morning, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office said they corrected the name of the victim from “Christi Lewis” to Christine Lewis, but the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office said in their statement that her name is “Christi Lewis.”
** As of 9:00am PT on Monday, September 3rd, 2018: **
** Pictures from ZachNews: **
** As of 9:00am PT on Monday, September 3rd, 2018: **
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Division of Boating Safety is continuing the search for the missing boaters after a boat collision that occurred on Saturday (9/1). One of the missing boaters was located in the Colorado River on Monday (9/3) at approximately 7:30 AM and was identified as Christine Lewis, 51 from Visalia, California. At this time, the other 3 boaters are still missing. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office will continue to patrol the Colorado River until all the unaccounted for passengers are located.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office corrected the nane of the victim found after they released publicly the identified “Christi Lewis” this morning.
** As of 7:00am PT on Monday, September 3rd, 2018: **
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station, dive operations are starting. The Colorado River will be closed to all boat traffic in the area of the no wake zone near the Topock 66 Marina.
Personnel from multiple agencies supporting Mohave County Sheriff’s Office investigation.
** As of 6:00am PT on Monday, September 3rd, 2018: **
The search for the 4 missing people in the boat collision Saturday night along the Colorado River will resume Monday morning.
During a press conference Sunday afternoon, Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said the Colorado River is closed down in the area of the search.
Boaters should use caution and prepare for any closures Monday in the area of the search along the Colorado River; south of Pirate’s Cove Resort and near Topock 66 Marina.
Authorities have not identified any of the people involved, but said that none of the people were from the area.
The cause of the boat collision is under investigation.
** As of 8:00pm PT on Sunday, September 2nd, 2018: **
** Pictures from ZachNews: **
Divers and search team members have packed up and will be returning at 5:00am PT on Monday, September 3rd 2018.
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, divers from Los Angeles, California are on their way to help in the search for the still missing 4 people.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office tell ZachNews that no names have been officially released.
** Pictures from ZachNews: **
Both boat involved in the boat collision have been recovered.
** As of 7:00pm PT on Sunday, September 2nd, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, second boat has been recovered from the Colorado River in the boat collision.
** As of 4:00pm PT on Sunday, September 2nd, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, first boat has been recovered from the Colorado River in the boat collision.
** As of 3:00pm PT on Sunday, September 2nd, 2018: **
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office held a news conference with the latest information regarding the boat collision.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said at approximately 8:00pm, 2 boats collision occurred along the Colorado River just north of Interstate 40, between the Pirate’s Cove Resort (located in Needles, California) and Topock 66 Marina (located in Topock, Arizona.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said a total of 16 people were involved in the boat collision, among the 16 people: 9 people were injured including 7 people who were taken to surrounding area hospitals for treatment, 2 people requiring airlift to a hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada and 2 people were uninjured.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said that the people in the boat collision weren’t locals, they were from outside the area.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said the search to find 4 remaining victims, 3 women and a man, will continue until “all of those who are missing or uncounted for are found.”
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said the Colorado River is closed down in the area of the search.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said there were 10 people in a Hallet boat and 6 people in a Sleek boat when the boats collided.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office along with agencies including the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department dive team and helicopter, San Bernardino County Fire Department and United States Fish and Wildlife are assisting in the search on the water and on the shore.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said none of the boaters was wearing a life vest at the time of the boat collision.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said the cause is still under investigation.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Doug Schuster said his thoughts and prayers go out to the families involved in the boat collision.
** As of 2:00pm PT on Sunday, September 2nd, 2018: **
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, a public briefing and press conference will be held at the Topock 66 Marina at 3:00pm MST where Sheriff Doug Schuster will make a statement and answer any questions, along with Sergeant Kyler Cox from the Division of Boating Safety. All news agencies are welcome to attend.
ZachNews is heading over to the press conference and will be broadcasting live at ZachNews on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/ZachNews
** As of 8:30am PT: **
** Picture from the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office: **
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department are continuing to assist the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office on the Colorado River near the Topock Marina.
All vessel traffic is asked to remain clear of the area as the river will be intermittently closed to all traffic.
According to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, at approximately 8:03pm PT on Saturday, September 1st, 2018, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center received several 911 calls in reference to a boating crash on the Colorado River between Pirates Cove Resort in Needles, California and the Topock Marina, north of Lake Havasu, California.
Several callers advised that multiple people were in the water, there were multiple injuries, and several people were missing.
Units from the Mohave County Sheriffs Office Division of Boating Safety responded by water and land to the area.
Upon their arrival it was determined that a Hallet boat occupied by 10 people, was northbound, and a Sleek Craft boat, occupied by 6 people, was southbound on the Colorado River between Pirates Cove and Topock Marina when they collided head on.
During the collision, all subjects from both boats were ejected into the water, and both boats sank.
Several people were pulled from the water by passing boaters.
Deputies and an onboard AMR paramedic located a critically injured female that was in a good Samaritan’s boat.
They were able to stabilize her, and transport her to shore.
She was then flown from the scene to a hospital in Las Vegas in Critical condition.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office, 9 other people were transported to area hospitals by ambulance.
At this time, 4 occupants from the Hallet boat are still missing. Helicopters from Care Flight, Arizona DPS Air Rescue, and the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department were deployed in the area shortly after the initial call, and were unable to locate any of the missing subjects.
** As of 12:19am PT on Sunday, September 2nd, 2018: **
The San Bernardino County Fire Department posted on their official Twitter page, “Search operations have been suspended and will resume tomorrow morning. #MohaveCountySheriff is lead agency for investigation.”
** As of 10:23pm PT on Saturday, September 1st, 2018: **
The Fire Department posted on their official Twitter page, “Total patient count is 12: 1 with life threatening injuries flown to @UMCSN (University Medical Center of Southern Nevada), 6 moderate/non-life threatening, 6 minor injuries. 2 parties remain unaccounted for and presumed submerged.”
** As of 8:56pm PT on Saturday, September 1st, 2018: **
According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department’s Colorado River Station, deputies with the Marine Enforcement Unit are assisting the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office with a boat collision on the Colorado River near Topock Gorge and Park Moabi Channel near Needles, California.
Mohave County Sheriff’s Office is the lead department handling the boat collision.
As of 8:56pm PT on Saturday, September 1st 2018, the San Bernardino County Fire Department posted on their official Twitter page, “#SBCoFD onscn BOAT COLLISION on Colorado River n/o Topock. Two vessels head on. 1 sunk, 1 heavy damage. 2 parties missing, presumed submerged. 2 patients – delayed. Numerous boats in area. Mult agencies assisting.”
