Lake boat crash kills two in western Arizona

Two people were killed after a small boat flipped onto the shoreline of Lake Havasu in western Arizona on Saturday, September 12.

The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) said it received an alert shortly after 19:00 local time stating that a catamaran boat travelling at high speed on the lake had struck the shoreline, which then caused it to become airborne and overturn before hitting the ground just north of Cattail Cove State Park.

Sheriff's deputies arrived at the scene and found the crashed vessel, which has been identified as a 36-foot (11-metre) catamaran built by Douglas Marine.

MCSO spokesperson Anita Mortensen said the boat's only occupants were 65-year-old Charles Romer and 59-year-old Jennifer Luzzi. Despite lifesaving measures, both victims were pronounced dead at the scene.

Mortensen added that the MCSO Division of Boating Safety has begun investigating the incident.

According to local media, Romer, who went by the nickname "Chip," was a well-known figure in the Lake Havasu powerboat racing circuit.