A news release on the Missouri State Water Patrol website confirms some details about an accident yesterday at the Lake of the Ozarks FLW Series. According to the release, Horton and his co-angler Thomas (Leon) Williams (pictured) of Fairdale, Ky. were both thrown from Horton's boat.
The news release states: "Horton was operating the boat at about 55 mph trying to get back to the tournament weigh-in station when he hit a wake. Both occupants where thrown over the right side of the boat. Williams was taken to Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, and later flown to St. Johns in Springfield, Mo. Williams suffered a possible fractured lower lumbar."
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a fracture of the lower lumbar spine can result in spinal-cord damage.
The condition of Williams is unknown. BassFan attempted to contact both FLW Outdoors and Horton last night. Calls went unreturned.
_________________ "We used to slay them here back in the day," Scott Holmes, Lay Lake.
"I'm not gonna make it!" Bobby Mac, Weiss Lake.
"I think this creek goes to the right," Lee Byrd, Columbus Pool Two Day.
BILLK Supreme Member
Joined: Jun 11, 2006
Posts: 863
Posted:
Thu Oct 12, 2006 10:16 am
Nasty and very unfortunate. Horton grew up on the TN River so he is very accustomed to running big wakes.
Hopefully, his co-angler will be ok.
The release did not mention anything about any injury to Horton, so I assume he is ok?
_________________ Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome!
Only the scales tell the truth!
Exotic Grass = BIG Bass!
Time on the water is a great teacher if you spread your wings instead of lighting on a perch.
JeffC Professional Member
Joined: Jun 11, 2006
Posts: 297
Location: Argo, Alabama
Posted:
Thu Oct 12, 2006 6:20 pm
There is an up-date on them on the FLW Outdoors website. Tim withdrew from the tournament to stay with Mr. Williams until his family arrived. They said they were riding along in two-foot swells, when out of the blue, they hit a 6-footer. Threw them both out.
It is amazing that they are both alive. It could have been a lot worse.
_________________ "We used to slay them here back in the day," Scott Holmes, Lay Lake.
"I'm not gonna make it!" Bobby Mac, Weiss Lake.
"I think this creek goes to the right," Lee Byrd, Columbus Pool Two Day.
BILLK Supreme Member
Joined: Jun 11, 2006
Posts: 863
Posted:
Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:22 am
Sounds a lot like what occurs on Gville all the time due to the large boats. The boat can be way upriver, or out of site, and you can run up on a large wake. You must concentrate when running the big water as these wakes can sneak up on you.
A similar accident happened on Gville a number of years ago in a BASS tourny. Gentleman by the name of Snyder from Albertville (?) ended up with a very bad broken arm. A pro from TX was driving. Flipped the rig. Snyder used to be a big threat in Gville tournys.
_________________ Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome!
Only the scales tell the truth!
Exotic Grass = BIG Bass!
Time on the water is a great teacher if you spread your wings instead of lighting on a perch.
Allan Supreme Member
Joined: Jun 03, 2006
Posts: 2147483647
Location: Trussville, AL
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