Boating accident leaves one dead, two injured

HOUSTON A woman was killed and a 9-year-old child and an elderly man were hurt when their boat crashed into a wooded area along the banks of Clear Creek.

Investigators spent Monday morning trying to figure out how far the boat flew to land in the wooded area from the water. Crews also are trying to figure out the best way to move it out of its location.

Just getting to the boat now is no easy task. Law enforcement spent the morning looking at the scene. The vessel could be seen stuck between trees near FM 270 and Clear Creek.

An Eyewitness News photographer even had to trek through the trees to get to the site of the crash. Estimates are it landed up to 150 feet from the banks.

"The operator was possibly operating at a high rate of speed," League City Police Department Sgt. David Hausam said. "It appears that he lost control."

Investigators say all three people on the boat were ejected. They were taken by medical helicopter to the hospital. The woman was declared dead upon arrival.

"This isn't unusual for me," Billy Kern with Sea Two said.

Sea Two was hired to remove the vessel. He said he's seen a few similar scenes.

"It's gonna take a crane to come pull it out or chop down quite a few trees to pull it back toward the water," he said.

Investigators are still trying to determine whether alcohol or drugs might have played a role in the crash. They said the driver of the boat has retained an attorney.

The 48-year-old woman killed in the accident has been identified as Marilyn Ruth McCormick.

The 82-year-old man and 9-year-old are still being treated at Memorial Hermann Hospital. Their identities and conditions so far have not been released.