Four Killed In High-Performance Boating Accident
CASTAIC, Calif. Four people, including High Torque Marine boat company president and founder Steve Coloumbe, were involved in a boat crash Friday, January 11, on Castaic Lake, a sheriff's spokesman s
CASTAIC, Calif. — Four people, including High Torque Marine boat company president and founder Steve Coloumbe, were involved in a boat crash Friday, January 11, on Castaic Lake, a sheriff's spokesman said.
Coloumbe was among the four people who were testing a new 30-foot HTM twin-engine catamaran under development on the lake north of Los Angeles. Authorities identified the victims as Coloumbe, 38, of Aqua Dulce; Ken Lane, 41, of La Canada; Nelson Brinkman, 30, of Phelan; and Chuck Wiseman, 47, of Castaic.
Authorities have recovered the body of Lane. The remaining victims have not been found and are presumed dead.
Los Angeles County lifeguards provided assistance and held the capsized boat afloat while searching for the victims. Lane was found unconscious and pulled from the water immediately after the crash. A Sheriff's Department dive team continues its search for the other victims.
The crash occurred about 2 p.m., near the main boating ramp on the upper lake of Castaic. Sheriff's officials said, "the twin-engine racing boat flipped over while traveling at approximately 80 mph."
High Torque Marine, located in Aqua Dulce, Calif., had earned a reputation for its high-speed catamarans. Castaic Lake is often used as a testing ground for HTM boats.
Castaic Lake has an upper lake used for personal watercraft and sailing. The lower portion is for non-power boating and swimming. The shoreline at the Castaic Lake Dam state recreation area is 29 miles long.