Copiague Man Critically Hurt in Boat Crash

A 41-year-old Copiague man was critically injured in a boat crash on the Great South Bay Sunday night, police said.

According to police, Paul Baril was operating a 1985 Talon from Cedar Beach to Tanner Park when the boat suddenly stopped, possibly due to striking a sandbar, causing Baril to be ejected into the water at 9 p.m.

Baril’s friend, Derek Scudiero, was operating his boat alongside Baril’s vessel and assisted Baril into the injured man’s boat, police said.

When Baril’s boat began to sink, Scudiero assisted Baril onto Scudiero’s boat, police said.

Baril was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip where he was listed in critical condition, police said.

The investigation is continuing.