3 Killed In Tragic Boat Crash At Major League Fishing Event
on Apr 17, 2025
A tragic two-boat crash at a fishing event on an Alabama lake has left three dead.
Two boats collided during the Tackle Warehouse Invitational on Alabama’s Lewis Smith Lake on Wednesday (April 16). According to authorities, a Nitro bass boat struck a center console vessel around 7 a.m.
All three passengers aboard the center console were fatally injured. 58-year-old Joey Broom, John Clark, 44, and Jeffrey Little, 62, died at the scene, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency told media outlets. The three aboard the bass boat were injured, but are expected to recover.
One of the event’s competitors, Flint Davis, was on the bass boat with fishing guide Gary Holcombe and Luke Morgan when it crashed. The extent of Davis and Morgan’s injuries is unknown.
A GoFundMe account set up for Gary Holcombe revealed that he remains hospitalized after suffering a punctured lung, broken ribs, and a brain bleed.
Major League Fishing and participants responded to the tragedy.
Kathy Fennel, executive vice president and general manager of Major League Fishing, issued a statement, saying: “This is a heartbreaking moment for our entire organization. Our deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy.
The final day of competition, slated for Thursday, was canceled in light of the crash.
Witnesses say that it was foggy at the time of the crash and that the bass boat came around a curve at high speed, unable to see the other vessel. The incident is under investigation.
The accident has people calling for strict rules regarding speeding boats at fishing tournaments.
Wednesday’s tragedy brought to light a common complaint among non-competitive fishermen who share the lake with competitors during events.
Many sportsmen and women took to social media to offer their condolences and prayers to all of those affected by the horrific crash. They also shared their concerns about more accidents happening if rules aren’t put in place.
“Maybe now is the time to reel in all of the inconsiderate bass fishermen that speed by all the sitting fishermen and don’t seem to care about anyone other than themselves. It is a common complaint at every lake that I fish and all my friends agree,” one wrote.
Another added, “Need to reel in the speed at tournaments. I’ve fished for over 40 years and some of these tourneys are nuts with their participants and their recklessness and lack of respect for other boaters.”
