A fatal boat collision during the Major League Fishing (MLF) Tackle Warehouse Invitational on Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake has left three people dead and several others injured. The crash occurred early Wednesday morning, which led MLF officials to cancel the tournament’s final day.
“This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization,” Kathy Fennel, MLF’s executive vice president and general manager, said in a statement. “Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.”
According to authorities, the accident happened around 7 a.m. when a Nitro bass boat, operated by one of the tournament’s competing anglers, collided with a center console vessel. Three men in the center console boat were identified as John K. Clark, 44, of Cullman, Alabama; Jeffrey C. Little, 62, of Brandon, Mississippi; and Joey M. Broom, 58, of Altoona, Alabama. All three died from injuries sustained in the crash. Two of the men were ejected and drowned, and the third died later from trauma.
The MLF angler involved in the crash was identified as Flint Davis of Leesburg, Georgia.
“I want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers,” Davis said in a post uploaded to his Instagram.
In response to the incident, Major League Fishing canceled the final day of the tournament. The event had been underway since Sunday and included a top prize of up to $115,000.
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s Marine Patrol Division is continuing to investigate the cause of the collision. No further details have been released at this time.
The crash has cast a shadow over the competitive fishing world. It serves as a sobering reminder of the real risks anglers face whenever they step into a boat.
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