HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. — A late-night boating accident in the waters near Hilton Head Island has left two people dead and two others injured, sparking an ongoing investigation by multiple agencies.
The crash occurred around 9:45 p.m. Friday in the Skull Creek area, a popular waterway in Beaufort County. Emergency responders from the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), and the U.S. Coast Guard rushed to the scene following reports of a serious boating incident.
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Upon arrival, authorities located the damaged vessel and found four individuals onboard. Two of the passengers were tragically pronounced dead at the scene. The remaining two sustained injuries of unspecified severity and were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Their current conditions have not been made public.
The identities of the deceased have not been released, pending notification of their next of kin by the Beaufort County Coroner’s Office.
Officials have yet to confirm what caused the crash. The SCDNR is leading the investigation, with support from the Sheriff’s Office and Coast Guard. No foul play has been suggested at this time, but investigators are calling on witnesses or anyone with relevant information to come forward.
“This is a devastating incident, and our thoughts are with the families affected,” a sheriff’s office spokesperson said Saturday. “We are working diligently to determine exactly what happened.”
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit Hilton Head boating community, where safety on the water is a shared priority.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as new details emerge. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office or the SCDNR.