DNR Investigating Boat Explosion In Pierce County

PRESCOTT, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is investigating the cause of an explosion of a boat engine that caused the ejection of all 11 passengers on board into the Mississippi River near Prescott in Pierce County on Saturday, July 26.

There were no fatalities. All passengers were recovered, and eight of them received medical treatment at a nearby hospital.

The early investigation confirmed the boat’s operator had attempted to start the vessel’s engine twice, and on the third attempt the engine exploded. While attempts to extinguish the fire were underway, the vessel drifted into a second boat and caused fire damage. All fires were extinguished.

The incident remains under investigation. No other information is available at this time, and DNR staff are unable to accommodate interviews on this specific incident.

For more information on boating safety, visit this DNR webpage.