Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 22, 1990 TAG: 9005220343
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: HUDDLESTON LENGTH: Medium
Bruce and Brian Blankinship, 27, of Lynchburg, were on their first outing of the summer when they noticed strange noises coming from the engine of their 21-foot Chris Craft, according to R.H. Henry of the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
The engine exploded, engulfing the boat in a huge fireball, Henry said.
The brothers dived overboard and were rescued by a passing boat driven by Traci Bodine and Bruce Niederriter of Bedford, Henry said.
Bruce Blankinship, who suffered burns on his arms and legs, was treated at Lynchburg Memorial Hospital and released, Henry said. "Those were lucky boys, I tell you."
Brian Blankinship said he and his brother had just taken the boat out of winter storage. They had gone to a marina to get the 50-gallon tank filled, and as they were driving away they noticed the boat was hesitating. "I hit the throttle, and the boat blew up," Brian Blankinship said.
Brian Blankinship said there was no time to try to extinguish the blaze. "The boat was in a matter of seconds engulfed in flames." He grabbed a life jacket, which also was burning, and threw it to his brother before diving off the boat himself.
"We were real fortunate," Brian Blankinship said. "If the gasoline had fully exploded, you would have had a bigger story than you do now."
Brian Blankinship said that the 18-year-old boat has never had any problems before. "We've been going up to that place for 20 years, and the worst thing that's ever happened was a bee sting." In spite of the accident, Blankinship said, the only thing keeping him off the water now is lack of a boat.
The incident happened shortly after 5 p.m. on Craddock Creek near Mitchell's Marina.
by CNB