Officials Investigate Saturday Boat Accident Injuring 6

When the 28-foot Pursuit ran aground off Prudence Island Saturday night, it was on its way to Barrington from Block Island. Of the seven people rescued at the scene, six were brought to area hospitals – all six were treated and released, according to the Dept. of Environmental Management. 

No names have been released.

The DEM is conducting the investigation into the accident, said spokesman Kurt Blanchard Sunday. He offered little detail about what caused the boat to run aground but said "alcohol and speed are part of investigation."

In addition, he noted that the channel between Prudence and Patience islands can be difficult to navigate. 

"It is an area where local knowledge is critical," said Blanchard. "It's a route used during the day, not necessarily at night."

As for the number of people injured, Blanchard said, "Whenever you're running and you come to an abrupt stop, people are thrown about." 

"North King did a great job coordinating the response," he said. Marine rescue units from North Kingstown, East Greenwich, Warwick, Cranston, Portsmouth, Prudence Island, and the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the scene. Because NKFD arrived first, they took command. 

"Everyone did a great job getting the victims from that location, a very remote location, in the dark," Blanchard said. "It was treacherous. They did a tremendous job."

The initial story about the incident can be found here.