Local News
5 Injured After Boat Explosion on Lanier Islands During Fourth of July Holiday
ATLANTA, Ga. — Five individuals were hospitalized following a boat explosion and subsequent fire on Lake Lanier Thursday evening, according to Hall County Fire Rescue officials.
The incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. near Margaritaville at Lanier Islands.
Hall County Sheriff’s Office deputies, along with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), responded to assist firefighters at the scene.
A nearby Hall County Fire Rescue boat witnessed the explosion and reached the burning vessel within minutes.
Upon arrival, crews found five individuals on board, all of whom sustained injuries.
One pediatric patient was airlifted to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta.
Four others were transported via ambulance — three to Grady Memorial Hospital and one to Northeast Georgia Medical Center (NEGMC) in Gainesville.
All five victims were reported to be in stable condition at the time of transport.
The exact cause of the explosion remains under investigation by local authorities.
The incident occurred amid Fourth of July celebrations, drawing heightened attention due to the holiday weekend activity on the lake.
AIKEN, S.C. — A 19-year-old Aiken woman was killed Monday night after the vehicle she was driving left the roadway and crashed into a tree before catching fire, according to the Aiken County Coroner’s Office.
The fatal single-vehicle crash occurred at approximately 9:12 p.m. in the 400 block of Monetta Street. A Honda Civic was traveling northbound when it veered off the roadway, struck a tree and burst into flames.
The driver was identified as Damira Hammonds, 19, of Aiken.
She was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 9:43 p.m.
A passenger in the Honda Civic survived the crash and was transported to a hospital for treatment of injuries. Authorities have not released additional information about the passenger’s condition.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office said an autopsy is expected to be scheduled later this week in Newberry to assist in determining the official cause of death.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office and South Carolina Highway Patrol are investigating the crash. Officials have not released additional details about what caused the Honda Civic to leave the roadway.