Keith Lusher 04.17.25
A devastating collision between two vessels on Lewis Smith Lake has claimed three lives, prompting the cancellation of a Main League Fishing match on Wednesday.
The Alabama Regulation Enforcement Company confirmed that Joey M. Broom, 58, of Altoona, John Ok. Clark, 44, of Cullman, and Jeffrey C. Little, 62, of Brandon, Mississippi have been killed when their Heart Console vessel was struck by a Nitro Bass Boat round 7 a.m. close to the Miller Flats space.
Broom, who served as a council member for the city of Snead, was pronounced lifeless on the scene. Clark and Little have been thrown into the water throughout the collision and drowned. Search groups later recovered each our bodies.
“We’re deeply saddened to announce the passing of council member, Joey Broom. Please preserve the Broom household & the City of Snead in your prayers,” city officers posted on social media Wednesday night.
Main League Fishing (MLF) confirmed that skilled angler Flint Davis of Leesburg, Georgia was working the bass boat concerned within the crash. Davis had been competing in Day 2 of the Deal with Warehouse Invitational match.
“Out of respect for these concerned, and to make sure the accuracy of all data, no additional particulars will probably be launched at the moment,” MLF mentioned in an announcement. “MLF is working intently with regulation enforcement and emergency officers. Extra updates will probably be offered as they’re confirmed by the suitable authorities.”
The group introduced that the rest of the match has been canceled.
Simply hours earlier than the accident, Davis had shared his optimism on Instagram concerning the competitors, writing: “Stable day 1. 13-12 has me in fifteenth place. On the lookout for one other strong bag tomorrow to maneuver up. I’m able to get again on the market!”
Whereas some studies talked about foggy situations on the lake Wednesday morning, different match anglers contradicted these claims, stating there wasn’t vital fog on the time of the crash.
Allen Johnson with the Alabama Bass Counsel mirrored on the tragedy: “You’re going out and also you’re having fun with a day of fishing and swiftly your life’s taken, or tragedy strikes, and that sucks. We have now so many individuals on the water, and this was a freak accident. It was a kind of issues that might occur to utterly anyone fishing.”
The crash occurred within the space of Burr’s Island, outdoors of Miller Backside. Emergency personnel responded instantly to the scene, together with an emergency medical helicopter.
The investigation into the precise explanation for the crash is ongoing.
