DATE/TIME: Saturday, May 23, 2026 at approximately 3:46 p.m.
INCIDENT: Major Injury Boat Collision
LOCATION: Colorado River, Park Moabi Channel, Needles, CA
VICTIM(S): 3-year-old, Female Juvenile, Resident of Huntington Beach, CA
46-year-old Male, Resident of Huntington Beach, CA
SUMMARY: On Saturday, May 23, 2026, at approximately 3:46 p.m., Marine Enforcement deputies responded to a report of a boat collision involving major injuries in the Park Moabi Channel on the Colorado River in Needles.
The investigation determined that a vessel operator backed away from the shoreline and then accelerated forward onto the shore, striking a beached pontoon boat, an adult male and a female juvenile. The adult male was struck by the front of the boat and thrown onto the beach. The juvenile was struck and became pinned underneath the boat after it came to rest on the shoreline. Deputies, along with several bystanders at the scene, were able to lift the vessel and safely free the juvenile.
The juvenile sustained major injuries as a result of the collision and was airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. The adult male sustained minor injuries. The vessel operator was not injured. Alcohol was not a factor in the collision and this investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact Deputy W. Poe of the Colorado River Station / Needles Police Department at (760) 326-9200. Those wishing to remain anonymous are urged to call or text "REPORT" to the WE-TIP HOTLINE at (844) 909-3006. Individuals may also leave anonymous information online using the We-Tip website at https://mobile.catapultems.com/sbcsd/Sites.
For press releases, news, and information, follow the Colorado River Station on Facebook and Instagram at SBCSDColoradoRiverStation or X at: @CORiverStation.
Refer: Deputy W. Poe
Station: Colorado River Station
Phone No. (760)326-9200
Case No. 252300040
SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
