2 Oklahomans killed, 1 Ponca City resident injured in boating accident

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reported that a fatal collision occurred at about 07:30 a.m. on Saturday on Lake Texoma, between the Wood Island and Sanders Island View area in Marshall County.

The patrol said the accident involved a 1999 Falcon Striper boat driven by Clifford Eugene Hines, 67, of Ponca City, OK. Hines was transported to Alliance Health in Durant, OK with a head injury. Hines was treated and released.

A passenger in Hines’ vessel, the brother of the driver, Devered (SIC) Dee Hines, 80, of Cordell, OK was pronounced dead at the scene with head injuries. Medical Examiner Kalie Scribner responded to the scene. The body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s office in Oklahoma City by Watt’s Funeral Home in Madill, Oklahoma.

A second passenger, another brother of the driver, Eddie Wayne Hines, 62, of Duncan, OK was also pronounced dead at the scene with trunk-external, leg, arm, and head injuries. Medical Examiner Kalie Scribner responded to the scene. The body was transported to the Medical Examiner’s office in Oklahoma City by Watt’s Funeral Home in Madill, Oklahoma.

The Highway Patrol’s report stated that the vessel was traveling southeast when its steering malfunctioned, causing the vessel to turn sharp to the left, which ejected all three occupants out of the vessel. The vessel began circling all three occupants, striking all three. The driver was rescued by witnesses in another vessel. Both passengers were recovered by the Enos Fire Department. The report notes that personal flotation devices were not in use by any occupant. The condition of the driver is reported to have been apparently normal. The cause of the collision is attributed to equipment malfunction.

Investigated by Trooper Scott King #634, of the Marine Enforcement Division. Assisted by Trooper Dusty Pruitt #829 and Trooper Jack Stranahan #857 also of the Marine Enforcement Division, Enos Fire Department, Madill Police Department, and Marshall County Sheriff’s Office.

This report is based upon the trooper’s investigation of this collision. It may contain the opinion of the trooper.