Sheriff: Waterloo woman killed, four relatives hurt in Seneca Lake boat crash

HIMROD, N.Y. (WHEC) — A Waterloo woman was killed and four relatives were hurt after a boat crash on Seneca Lake.

Yates County Sheriff Ron Spike told News10NBC a 45-foot Donzi boat, was heading south at a high rate of speed on the lake near the hamlet of Himrod around 5 p.m. Saturday when it made a sudden turn, causing it to roll up onto its side. All six people on the boat were ejected.

Cynthia A. Stuck, 65, of Waterloo, was pronounced dead at the scene and four people deputies describe as family members sustained internal injuries.

Two people had to be airlifted to the hospital and the other two were transported by ambulance.

The driver of the boat was not hurt.

Spike told News10NBC’s Emily Putnam the boat was moving fast, and the lake does not have a speed limit. He said all six onboard were related and were not wearing life jackets.

Multiple crews including deputies, the Himrod Fire Department, and the Yates County Office of Emergency Management responded.

The incident happened just outside of the Showboat Motel along the lake, Edward Corriveau was at an event at the motel and witnessed what happened.

"What I saw was a boat moving very quickly, a lot, a big boat," Corriveau said. "It was moving very quickly and I looked up and saw it come to a stop and turn to the left and sprayed up a lot of water, next thing I know I saw bodies in the water and I knew it was a traumatic accident."

Corriveau estimates the incident happened only dozens of feet from the shoreline.

"There was a spray of water, you couldn’t see for about 2, 3, 4 seconds. it was dramatic, dramatic, so sad," Corriveau said.

Deputies and investigators have already interviewed several witnesses.

The Yates County Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone not interviewed, who witnessed the crash or took any pictures or videos to please contact the sheriff’s office at 315-536-4438 or email: sheriff@yatescounty.org.

The boat is impounded by the sheriff’s office at its Marine Patrol in Dresden for further investigation. Sheriff Spike tells News10NBC a mechanical examination of the boat will occur early this week.