A young boy died and six others suffered minor injuries after the boats in which they were riding collided head-on in Rotten Bayou near the Jourdan River, according to news reports. The accident occurred north of Interstate 10 in Hancock County, the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources reported.
The child, identified as Blake Richardson in news reports, apparently died of multiple injuries caused by the impact. Drowning was apparently not a factor.
Richardson was pronounced dead at 11:35 p.m. Saturday at Hancock Medical Center.
The news reports state that Blake Richardson was riding with father Mark Richardson and uncle William Richardson at the time of the accident. William Richardson was operating the 19-foot Critchfield skiff. According to DMR Blake was the only passenger wearing a life jacket on the skiff.
The second boat involved in the accident was a 22-foot Boston Whaler, and had six people onboard. The Boston Whaler was operated by George Brower II. All six passengers were ejected from the boat at the time of the collision and sustained slight injuries.
Blake Richardson was reportedly picked up by an airboat operator and taken to Devil’s Elbow in Diamondhead, where they were met by Hancock County Sheriff’s Department, Diamondhead Fire and Rescue and American Medical Response.
The accident is still under investigation by DMR’s Marine Control and Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks. DMR has taken possession of both vessels and a blood test was taken on both vessel operators. Test results are still pending.
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