A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has revealed new details about the tragic boating accident on Lake Tahoe that claimed eight lives in June.
According to the report, none of the victims were wearing life jackets when their luxury Chris-Craft vessel, named Over the Moon, capsized during a sudden storm on June 21. The boat, carrying ten passengers, was hit by eight- to 10-foot waves near D.L. Bliss State Park.
The accident occurred as the group, celebrating a 71st birthday, attempted to return to the marina after anchoring at Emerald Bay. Conditions quickly worsened with increasing winds, rain, and marble-sized hail. Despite turning on bilge pumps, the boat’s engine stopped about 50 to 100 yards from shore, and a large wave caused it to capsize.
ABC10 reports that one survivor managed to put on a personal flotation device (PFD) and distributed them to others, but none of the other passengers wore theirs. A group of hikers witnessed the capsize and called 911. A lifeguard and a hiker rescued the two survivors, who were treated for hypothermia and other injuries.
The deceased included Joshua Antony Pickles, a DoorDash executive, his parents, and several friends and family members. The boat, valued at $393,000, showed no signs of mechanical failure. The San Francisco Chronicle notes that toxicology tests for the victims are pending, and the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a parallel investigation.
The NTSB’s findings highlight the importance of wearing life jackets and the unpredictable nature of weather on Lake Tahoe.
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