Passengers go flying as boats collide in LI waters

Two boats collided in Great South Bay Saturday, sending children and adults flying into the water. Police say 45-year-old Brian Soltan was driving a boat when it crashed nearly head on into 35-year-old

News 12 Staff

Aug 12, 2007, 11:29 PM

Updated 6,243 days ago

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Two boats collided in Great South Bay Saturday, sending children and adults flying into the water.
Police say 45-year-old Brian Soltan was driving a boat when it crashed nearly head on into 35-year-old Sean Rooney's vessel around 10 p.m. According to officials, the force was so great it knocked three children, ages 11 to 13, and two adults into the cold water.
Police say the 13-year-old boy suffered a severe head injury. Responders, who included Coast Guard members, say a Good Samaritan at the helm of a commercial party boat helped rescue the victims before they arrived at the scene.
Both vessels are impounded at the Suffolk Marine Bureau headquarters in Great River, where they are being inspected. Detectives say alcohol does not appear to be a factor in the collision.