A boat crash during a Major League Fishing tournament killed three men and injured multiple others on an Alabama lake on Wednesday morning, state authorities say.
Two vessels crashed at around 7 a.m. at Lewis Smith Lake in Cullman County, according to Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. The collision occurred during the second day of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational competition organized by Major League Fishing, or MLF.
The tragedy unfolded after a bass boat hit a center console vessel. Three men who were on the center console vessel were killed: 58-year-old Joey Broom of Altoona, 44-year-old John Clark of Cullman, and 62-year-old Jeffrey Little of Brandon, Mississippi.
The crash threw Cullman and Little overboard and they drowned, officials said, though they didn’t specify what happened to Broom. The three men were pronounced dead at the scene.
Police have not confirmed the cause of the crash, telling USA TODAY it could not could not share any additional details as the investigation is ongoing.
Major League Fishing cancels final day of tournament
Major League Fishing canceled the final day of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational following the tragedy. It had been set for Thursday.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization,” MLF Executive Vice President Kathy Fennel said in a news release. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.”
MLF said it could not provide further details on the crash and that is cooperating with investigators.
The three-day tournament is set in Cullman, Alabama annually and hosts pro anglers competing for up to $115,000 and to earn a spot for the Tackle Warehouse Invitationals Championship in September.
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