Boat explosion injures father and son in Port McNeill
By Contributor
RCMP and emergency services attended a report of an explosion on board a 50 feet pleasure craft at the Port McNeill Fuel Dock and Marina located on Beach Drive, in Port McNeill.
The Port McNeill Volunteer Fire Department, BC Ambulance Service Paramedics, and the Port McNeill RCMP responded to the scene.
The vessel, which had taken on approx 500 liters of fuel (gasoline) prior to the explosion, was found partially submerged near the dock.
The two people on board at the time of the explosion, a 46-year-old father and his 13-year-old son, both from Port McNeill, had sustained burn injuries, and were transported to hospital by ambulance.
The boys injuries were described as minor, while the father’s appear to be more significant, but not life threatening.
The explosion occurred in the engine room of the vessel, and caused the engine compartment door and the windows of the boat to blow out, as well as the windows of the fuel dock station.
The attendant on duty at the fuel dock sustained minor injuries from flying glass shards.
A definitive cause of the explosion remains under investigation, however all indications are that is was accidental in nature.
Canadian Coast Guard personnel were on scene to assist the dock owner with fuel cleanup. Fisheries and Oceans Canada were also notified.
