Two dead, one injured in Blacktail boating accident
UPDATE: 8-22 The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office has identified the three people involved in a boating accident at Blacktail Park Monday. The boat was being operated by Mike Kingston, 63, of Idaho Falls. The two other occupants of the boat were identified as Neal Jenkins,68, and his wife, Elaine Jenkins, 65, of Centerville, Utah. While completing a turn on the water, all three individuals were ejected, then struck by the boat as it turned in circles around them. When the boat finally stopped, nearby boaters were able to bring all three to the boat ramp and start life-saving efforts. Elaine Jenkins died at the scene. Neal Jenkins was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by ambulance but died at the hospital later in the day. Kingston was transported to Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center by Air Idaho Rescue. He was being treated at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.
“Part of what they’re investigating is to determine if there was any alcohol abuse or anything like that, or if there was a problem with the boat or some other interference in that respect so those are the things we just don’t know right now,” said Sgt. Bryan Lovell with the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies do not know if the victims were wearing life jackets. The Sheriff’s Office is seeking information from anyone who witnessed the accident. You are asked to call Dep. Mike Vasquez through dispatch at 208-529-1200. UPDATE: Emergency responders say one person was killed and two seriously injured. One of the injured was transported by air and another by ground ambulance. According to authorities, all three were either thrown or got out of the boat and were hit by it. People in two additional boats pulled the victims out of the water and gave them CPR until medical teams arrived. Stay tuned for more details with Local News 8 at 5 p.m. and Eyewitness News 3 at 5:30. ORIGINAL STORY: Law enforcement officials confirm at least one person was seriously injured and several others hurt in a boating accident at Blacktail Recreation area. According to the Region 3 Incident Management Team, Bonneville County deputies and Idaho Falls emergency personnel were called on report of a boat spinning out of control. According to reports, there was no operator in the boat. The boat has run out of gas. One additional ambulance and a medical helicopter have been dispatched to the scene.
