Boat runs aground, slams into house after operator falls into Lake Hickory

HICKORY, N.C. — Wildlife officials say no one was hurt after a boat’s operator fell off and the vessel slammed into a house over Memorial Day weekend.

It all happened on Lake Hickory Saturday afternoon.

Brandon Hall told our news partners at the Hickory Record he and his family were on their pontoon boat when they saw a boat coming up behind them quickly.

“When it got closer, I figured the pilot couldn’t see us for some reason so I started screaming at my dad and just pointing behind us,” Hall said.

Hall said they moved their boat at the last second, and the other boat scraped the side of theirs. But that is when they realized no one was in the other boat.

The empty boat eventually ran aground and hit a house.

Eric Gleason with North Carolina Wildlife said the operator of the boat had fallen off and a good Samaritan rescued him.

According to the Hickory Record, the driver was not wearing a life jacket at the time and did not attach the kill switch. This would have stopped the boat once he fell into the water.

Gleason said while it is not state law to use a kill switch, it is highly recommended.

The driver of the boat was not charged and no injuries were reported.

“It was miraculous in every sense of the word no on was killed or even hurt,” Gleason said.

Hall said their boat saw minimal damage, but wildlife officials said the boat that crashed likely had a totaled engine.

It is unknown how much the damage to the house will cost.

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