Saw news report about a boating accident yesterday afternoon involving a bass boat and a pontoon boat on Sam Rayburn Lake.

A distraught family member who didn't give his name said that a man operating a bass boat slammed into and went over the pontoon boat. The driver of the bass boat, who was not injured, was a Sour Lake man, and at last word Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Wardens were questioning him.

One rescue worker said he heard the driver of one of the vessels say that both boats were headed toward each other and they tried to avoid the head on crash, but accidentally turned the wrong way.

The most seriously injured was rescued from the water by the Jasper County Emergency Corps and Rayburn first responders. A medical helicopter began flying him to a Beaumont hospital. However, Precinct 5 Justice of the Peace Brett Holloway said that the man's condition quickly deteriorated, so the helicopter instead diverted to Jasper Memorial, but the man was dead on arrival.

Meanwhile, a family on another pontoon boat transported the remaining family members to the public boat ramp, where they could be medically examined, and in the end all three went to a hospital.

The members of the Lake Rayburn Fire Department along with the Jasper County Emergency Corps assisted the Texas Parks and Wildlife and Jasper County Sheriff's Deputies with the rescue.

Dang! Hate to read this. Prayers up for all involved

Every weekend I encounter both fishermen and pleasure boaters that don't know how to properly pass. It’s really not that difficult in head on situations, pass to the right, or passenger seat to passenger seat. Wonder which boat turned left causing the incident. Prayers for those involved, sad deal.

Sad situation. Prayers sent to all.

prayers for the families...

Praying for family and friends of the victim. The Lord Jesus Christ has control.

With more and more eyes on electronics (both in cars and boats) using the horn more often is a good idea.

Sad situation. Idea: include the nautical rules above when sending boat registrations or place them on vessels similar to capacity plates.

Bad deal for sure. That also wasn't the only one, friday someone drowned out there. I didn't see the details on it but not a good weekend for rayburn at all. Prayers to families of those that this effected

Very sad news indeed

Recently ran into this during the Skeeter Owners Tournament. Most of the boats I was around ran cruising speed of around 40 mph but we had some speed demons that were running all out. I nearly had a guy passing force me into a marker bouy and almost head on into an on coming boat. Is it worth causing a crash and possibly killing people to get to that next spot?

The boating accident is allover Rayburn Country Neighborhood social media. This time of year lots of folks on the water, I’m just not one of them.

I feel bad for all involved.

... a man operating a bass boat slammed into and went over the pontoon boat...

Prayer for all involved... ... But how the heck does a bass boat go over a pontoon in a head on crash???... Dan

Saw a picture that sure looked like it went over from the side.
Report said they were trying to avoid the head on--- and both turned the same direction.
That would make more sense.

It appears the bass boat entered the port side of the pontoon. A very sad day for all, prayers to the families.