'Mass Casualty Incident': More Details On Fatal Boat Crash As Driver Faces Potential Charges

LAKE OF THE OZARKS, Mo. — At least 14 people were aboard the boat that crashed into a wave break on Saturday evening, according to details released by the Osage Beach Fire Protection District. And the driver of the boat could be facing charges.

According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the driver of the 32-foot Crownline, 60-year-old Bobby Childers of Sunrise Beach, was operating too close to a breakwater, hit a wake, and then hit the breakwater.

When the first firefighters arrived on scene Saturday evening, the district says they found multiple people on a wave break that was not accessible by land. Three firefighters jumped into the water and swam to begin assessing the patients.

"It was quickly determined to be a mass casualty incident and multiple ambulances were requested to the scene," the district said in a Facebook post, noting good samaritan bystanders assisted fire personnel by transporting supplies and patients to a nearby dock via boat.

In total, the fire district says 14 patients were transported to the hospital for evaluation. No fire/EMS personnel were injured on scene.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says Childers was arrested — but released for medical treatment — on potential charges of Boating While Intoxicated - Death Of Another and Careless & Imprudent Operation of a Vessel.