Fleeing boaters leave injured swimmer in river after crashing into him, WV officials say

A boat struck a 22-year-old man swimming in the Tygart River on Saturday afternoon, seriously injuring him, according to West Virginia Division of Natural Resources officers.

The boat, which had five men aboard, momentarily slowed, then sped away north toward Benton’s Ferry Bridge in the 4:35 p.m. incident, according to a release.

The swimmer, who suffered serious injuries, was pulled from the river by rescuers and taken to a Morgantown hospital, authorities say.

Now authorities are seeking the five men and the boat, described as a white runabout speedboat with a yellow zig-zag pattern on the sides.

The incident took place about a half-mile south of the Benton’s Ferry Bridge, and the men earlier were boating in an area lined with homes and camps, along with other watercraft.

West Virginia Department of Natural Resources officers ask that anyone with information on the boat or the collision call the Marion County 911 Center at (304) 367-5300 or the department at (304) 825-6787.

State and local police, along with sheriff’s deputies, are assisting with the investigation.