BIG KANDIYOHI LAKE — A speedboat came apart and sank Sunday afternoon on Big Kandiyohi Lake.
The four adults and four children on the boat were all rescued by people on a pontoon who heard the cries for help, according to a news release from the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office.
A 35-year-old Hector man was driving the 1974 Larsen speedboat when the outboard motor malfunctioned, the release said.
Shortly before 6 p.m. the driver was attempting to bring the boat up to speed when the occupants heard a loud noise at the rear of the boat. The outboard motor tore off, causing the motor and part of the boat to fall into the lake. All occupants were able to escape the sinking boat.
According to the sheriff’s release, the age of the boat and excess occupancy are believed to have caused the accident.
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Deputies from the Sheriff’s Office Water Patrol were able to retrieve all parts of the damaged craft from the lake, located in Fahlun Township in rural Lake Lillian.
