Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

2 injured in Priest Lake boat crash

By Drew Gerber The Spokesman-Review

Two boaters were injured at Priest Lake when the boat they were in crashed into Papoose Island early Monday morning.

Operating an 18-foot Boston whaler, the two boaters left Hill’s Resort at about 1:30 a.m. to return to their campsite across the lake, said Sgt. Dan Albanese, part of the marine division with the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office.

In the darkness of night, the boat crashed into Papoose Island – which is small and thickly covered by trees – where the two people on board were soon found by another boater, Albanese said.

Albanese said that both people appeared to be in good condition at the scene, getting off the island onto the local man’s boat by themselves, and they were met by Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies on land. The two were later transported to Newport Hospital for observation and assessment of their injuries, he said.

Lt. Ed Jocham, who leads the marine division, said it is still unknown whether speed was a factor in the crash.

“The boat was totaled,” he said.