CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. — A tragic accident claimed the lives of three people early Wednesday morning after two boats collided on Lewis Smith Lake, a popular reservoir in northern Alabama. The crash occurred around 7 a.m. during the second day of the Tackle Warehouse Invitational, a Major League Fishing (MLF) event, leaving one person dead and several others injured.
Cullman County Coroner Jeremy Kilpatrick confirmed that 58-year-old Joey Broom was the first fatality identified. Broom, who was struck by a Nitro Bass Boat, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities did not immediately release further details on his cause of death, but the impact of the crash appeared to be fatal.
In addition to Broom’s death, multiple individuals sustained injuries, although their conditions have not yet been disclosed by officials. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) responded to the scene, working in coordination with emergency management teams to handle the aftermath of the collision.
While the full details surrounding the incident remain unclear, Major League Fishing officials acknowledged the seriousness of the crash in a statement, confirming that the accident occurred during a competitive fishing tournament. MLF also stated that the accident involved a competitor, Flint Davis, of Leesburg, Georgia, though no specifics were provided about his role in the crash. The organization assured the public that it was cooperating closely with law enforcement and emergency personnel to verify all details, and promised to release additional updates as they became available.
Images captured by WHNT, a local news outlet, showed visible damage to the rear of Davis’ boat, which remained on the lake after the crash. Additionally, a helicopter could be seen arriving at the scene, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
While it’s unclear whether all the boats involved were tournament participants, a park manager stated that he was uncertain about the full extent of the crash’s involvement with the event.
The accident has cast a shadow over the otherwise competitive tournament, as participants and spectators alike are left to reflect on the devastating incident. As authorities continue their investigation, Major League Fishing has refrained from releasing further details out of respect for those involved.
