Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Monday, September 18, 2017
(MICHIGAN CITY) - Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a boat explosion on Trail Creek across from the United States Coast Guard Station, that occurred yesterday, Friday, September 15, 2017, at approximately 2:30 p.m.
Three workers from the Michigan City Port Authority were bringing several swim buoys from the lakefront back toward the creek for winter storage when their boat exploded.
65-year-old Alden Hopper, 55-year-old Timothy Frame, and 34-year-old Daniel Hoepf, all of Michigan City, sustained non-life threating injuries from the incident when all were ejected into the water from the explosion.
Each person onboard the boat were taken to St. Anthony's Franciscan Hospital in Michigan City for treatment.
Hopper, Frame, and Hoepf were all wearing USCG approved life jackets when the incident occurred. The lifejackets worn by each crew member and operator was a positive contributing factor in the rescue efforts following the explosion.
Agencies assisting on-scene were the United States Coast Guard, Michigan City Police Department, Michigan City Fire Department, LaPorte County EMS, and the LaPorte County Haz-Mat Team.
The cause of the boat explosion is undetermined at this time.
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