Speed Boat Racer Killed, 2 Hurt in Taunton Regatta Crash

TAUNTON, MA — A speed boat racer was killed and two more were hurt in a horrific crash during an organized race at Watson's Pond in Taunton Saturday afternoon.

A racer going 65 mph spun out and caused a pileup at about 1 p.m during the Bill Giles Memorial Regatta, authorities said. As the first boat spun out out, a second boat collided with the first, then a third boat crashed into the second, according to Taunton Fire Chief Chief Timothy Bradshaw.

"The collision caused all three drivers to be ejected from their boats," Bradshaw said in a statement. "Within minutes, Taunton Fire Dive Team and rescue swimmers had all three victims out of the water."

The driver of the second boat was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the third boat was critically injured; the driver of the first boat sustained minor injuries, authorities said. Their identities were withheld pending family notification.

It's not the first time a racer was killed at the annual regatta. In 2012, a Walpole man was killed when his boat flipped.

Photo: Patch/File