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2 Texas Boy Scouts killed when boat hits electric power line

By Ray Downs
Three Boy Scouts were in a boating accident in Lake O'The Pines, Texas on Saturday. Two were killed. Photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Wikipedia
Three Boy Scouts were in a boating accident in Lake O'The Pines, Texas on Saturday. Two were killed. Photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers/Wikipedia

Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Two Boy Scouts in Texas were killed and one injured after their sailboat ran into a transmission power line Saturday, authorities said.

The scouts who died in the accident were 16 and 18. A third, age 11, was found unresponsive nearby. Bystanders gave him CPR and he was transported to a nearby hospital, according to a statement from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

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The names of the boys were not immediately released.

The accident occurred in Lake O'The Pines in East Texas. The boys, who were all wearing personal flotation devices, were on a Boy Scout outing and riding a Hobie Cat Catamaran with the sails up. The vessel was found on fire with the 18-year-old inside and the two other boys nearby.

"It was tragic scene," said Texas Game Warden Quint Balkcom, reported KTRK.

The Texas Game Wardens are investigating the accident.

"This is an extremely difficult time for our Scouting family. We are very sad to confirm the deaths of two youth participants following a boating incident. A third youth has been airlifted to an area hospital after sustaining injuries," said Dewayne Stephens of the East Texas Area Council and a Boy Scouts of America executive. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims' families. We will support them in any way that we can."

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