ALEA: Two year old child thrown into water in Baldwin County vessel crash

BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) - Officials with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, or ALEA, say one man was hurt and a two year old thrown into the water on the Tensaw River following a two-vessel crash Saturday morning in Baldwin County.

Here is the release from ALEA:

BALDWIN COUNTY – A two-vessel crash that initially began as a single-vessel incident occurred at approximately 8:50 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 16, and resulted in the injury of a Bay Minette man.

Artis E. Anderson, 42, was critically injured when the 18ft homemade open runabout he was operating tilted heavily to the starboard side (right side) of the vessel ejecting Anderson.

Two passengers were also onboard when the vessel tilted, Brittany L. Anderson, 34, of Bay Minette and a 2-year-old child, were both ejected and thrown into the water.

Anderson’s 18ft homemade vessel continued underway, even after everyone onboard had been ejected. As a result, the vessel began to circle their location eventually striking Artis E. Anderson.

A nearby boater, later identified as Michael W. Carr II, 46, of Daphne, observed the incident and immediately responded to the scene to assist. Michael W. Carr II and Terri A. Carr, 50, also of Daphne, were able to retrieve the 2-year-old from the water, safely bringing the child onboard their vessel.

While assisting with the rescue Anderson’s vessel which was still underway, eventually struck Carr’s 14ft homemade open runabout. However, Michael W. Carr II was able to climb onboard Anderson’s vessel and was eventually able to disable the engine and push Anderson’s vessel away his.

Eventually, additional vessels responded to the scene and assisted in the retrieval of both Artis E. Anderson and Brittany L. Anderson. Artis E. Anderson was transported by helicopter to University Hospital in Mobile for medical treatment. Brittany L. Anderson and the 2-year-old were not injured as a result of the incident or collision.

The incident and collision occurred on the Tensaw River near Byrnes Lake in Baldwin County.

The Whitehouse Fork Volunteer Fire Department, Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department, Deputies with the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) along with Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division all responded and assisted with the recovery efforts.

Nothing further is available as ALEA Marine Patrol Troopers continue to investigate.

Respectfully,

Captain Jeremy J. Burkett

Administrative Bureau Director

Alabama Law Enforcement Agency

201 S Union St.

Montgomery, AL 36104

Office (334) 676-7002

Cell (334) 313-4330