DREHER ISLAND, S.C. (WIS) – A Kentucky college student died Tuesday from his injuries in a Lake Murray fishing tournament boat crash.
Organizers of the Bassmaster College Series event said there were two boats involved in Thursday’s crash from out-of-state competitors.
Johnathan Brian, 21, from Shelbyville, Kentucky, was pronounced dead at Prisma Health Richland on Tuesday morning, according to Newberry County Coroner Laura Kneece.
Brian was a member of the Western Kentucky Bass Fishing Team, WBKO confirms.
Two other people were injured in the crash but have since been released from a local hospital, according to the Newberry County Sheriff’s Office.
There is no word yet on what caused the crash, according to a spokesperson with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
Over 500 anglers from 72 colleges took to Lake Murray Friday morning for the start of the college fishing tournament season.
WIS News 10 asked Gene Nornhold, Kentucky Christian University head coach, if anything could have been done to prevent a collision like the one that occurred Thursday. He said accidents happen.
“The situation happened yesterday and our prayers go out to kids that was out in that accident,” Nornhold said. “But, incidents happen at times. We face every situation on the water as fisherman. It’s just an unfortunate incident, and we pray for their safety and for them to get well and for things to happen and good to come.”
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