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Houseboat fire with critical injuries and wakeboard accident renews police warning
Written by By PAM ZIERK-MAHONEY.
POLICE are again calling for people to take care and obey safety rules on the water.
It follows two serious boating accidents on Lake Eildon within three days.
On Friday morning a man and a woman both in their 50s were airlifted to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne having been badly burned after a boat fire at the Delatite Arm of Lake Eildon.
The accident happened just after 10am when the house-boat they were on burst into flames while allegedly being refuelled.
Both are reported to have severe burns to their face, neck and arms and the woman’s condition required her to be placed in an induced coma.
Sergeant Brett Tanyan of the Victoria Water Police Benalla division said boaters should take extra care when refuelling.
"Be sure the boat is ventilated properly before starting the engine," he said.
"Don’t carry excess fuel on any house boat or skiboat and make sure all fuel lines are tightened and checked for leaks before starting up.
"Any mechanical vessel shoud be regularly serviced by a trained mechanic.
"Ensure fire extinguishers are readily accessible and in working order."
And on Sunday a 17 year old boy was airlifted to the Alfred Hospital after he was injured in a wakeboarding accident on Lake Eildon.
Paramedics were called to Sugarloaf Road at Eildon at 8.10pm.
The teenager had sustained neck injuries in the accident.
A Rural Ambulance spokesman said the boy was unconscious when he was transferred to hospital and was in a critical condition.
In a separate incident on Sunday another ‘tow in’ occurred when a boat ran out of fuel and the people had to be rescued.
Transport Safety Victoria (TSV) director of maritime safety, Peter Corcoran, has reminded people of the dangers of refuelling powerboats, houseboats and personal water craft, after the two people were injured in the houseboat fire on Friday.
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