An enjoyable family birthday celebration quickly escalated into a devastating tragedy on Lake Tahoe, resulting in eight fatalities and two individuals hospitalized. The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office has announced that the gathering was held to honor Paula Bozinovich’s 71st birthday.
The deceased include Paula Bozinovich, her husband Terry Pickles, their son Joshua Antony Pickles, and family relative Peter Bayes, along with four family friends, all of varying ages from 63 to 73, hailing from California and New York.
Initially embarking on a 27-foot gold Chris-Craft powerboat near D.L. Bliss State Park, the group faced sudden peril when a powerful storm hit the area. The U.S. Coast Guard reported winds reaching 30 knots and swells up to eight feet, leading to the unfortunate capsizing of the vessel.
Out of the ten onboard, two individuals survived by wearing life jackets, which proved critical for their survival. According to BM1 Justin Smith from the Coast Guard, being mindful of weather conditions and utilizing life jackets are essential factors in boating safety.
In response to the tragedy, officials have stressed the unpredictable nature of Tahoe weather, advising mariners to be cautious and to always check conditions before setting out. Emergency services carried out extensive search-and-rescue operations to retrieve the bodies, with six found on the day of the incident.
Source: www.foxnews.com
