7 Rescued After Boat Runs Aground Off Prudence Island

A 28-foot boat ran aground off Prudence Island Saturday night, injuring six of the seven people aboard, according to the NK Fire Department. 

The NKFD got a call at 10:10 p.m. Saturday. Prudence Island is part of Portsmouth, but because the NKFD's marine unit was the first boat on the scene, they took charge. Marine units from East Greenwich, Warwick, Cranston, Portsmouth, Prudence Island, and U.S. Coast Guard also responded.

The people on the boat – a 28-foot Pursuit – were taken to Little Allen's Harbor in Davisville, where the six who were injured were taken by rescues from North Kingstown, East Greenwich, Warwick, Narragansett and Exeter.

"Patients suffered traumatic injuries – chest injuries, facial injuries, neck and back injuries," said NK Deputy Fire Chief Scott Kettelle early Sunday morning. Three of the more seriously injured were taken to Rhode Island Hospital. The other three were taken to Kent Hospital. 

Kettelle said it's unclear why the boat ran aground or why so many of the people on board were injured. The incident is being investigated by Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management. 

No names of those on the boat have been released.