Six people escaped safely as a boat sank about 150 feet off the shore of 5595 West Bluff in Olcott Wednesday night. (GOOGLE MAPS SCREENSHOT)

ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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OLCOTT — While thousands lined the shores of Olcott Beach to watch the annual fireworks, help was requested from a sinking boat with six passengers aboard.

According to the Niagara County Sheriff's Office, a 911 call came in from a cell phone at approximately 9:57 p.m. from a male reporting that his boat was sinking in Lake Ontario. The boat, a 20-foot 1987 Sport Craft was occupied by six passengers at the time of the call.

Emergency Dispatchers from the 911 Center were able to verify the location of the source and directed nearby patrols to the location of the sinking boat. Moments later at 10 p.m., a road patrol unit was able to locate the sinking boat approximately 150 feet off shore directly north of 5595 West Bluff, projecting a spotlinght on the boat to keep a visual on the sinking boat and all six occupants until a Niagara County Sheriff's Marine Unit arrived in a successful rescue.

As the last of six occupants were assisted from the distressed boat, it was completely submerged by water and capsized. The passengers were safely transported to the Wilson Sunset Marina where they were evaluated by Emergency Medical Service personnel from Wilson Volunteer Fire Company.

The capsized boat was unable to be salvaged at the time of the incident. The investigation is continuing.

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