Breckenridge Texan

A Colorado City man died early Saturday morning, July 19, when the boat he was operating crashed into Goat Island on Hubbard Creek Lake, according to Game Warden Clif Westbrook with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

The accident occurred a little after midnight and involved a man and his son who were in Stephens County on a fishing trip, Westbrook said.

“They were here on the lake fishing. They were coming across the lake after dark,” he said. “It appears that they got off their track a little, cutting it going around Goat Island and ended up crashing into Goat Island.”

The boat operator, who was in his early- to mid-50s, was pronounced dead at the scene, Westbrook said. His son sustained minor injuries and went to the emergency room but was released later this morning.

The TPWD is investigating the accident. “We recovered the boat … about lunch time,” Westbrook said. “We will have our boat accident investigation. I’ll do the boat accident report, and (the investigation) will also have our boat accident team, it’s called the Storm Team, come out and do a detailed boat analysis; that’ll take a few weeks.”

The front end of the boat was badly damaged in the accident when the boat hit the bank of the island, he explained.

The names of the man and his son have not been released, pending notification of extended family members.

Cutline, top photo: Several first responders, including the game warden, Sacred Cross EMS and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, responded to the scene of a boating accident on Hubbard Creek Lake just after midnight Saturday, July 19. One man was killed and his son was taken to Stephens Memorial Hospital with minor injuries. (Courtesy Photo)