2 men pulled from Lake Erie with critical injuries after crashing boat into seawall on Fourth of July

MONROE (WWJ) -- A Monroe man and his son have been hospitalized after crashing their boat into a seawall late Thursday night.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Department says drinking and speeding may have played a part in the crash, which happened as the boaters were attempting to get to Bolles Harbor on Lake Erie.

Just before 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, authorities received several 911 calls reporting a sinking boat near the entrance of the harbor, and two people in the water.

First responders arrived at the scene near the Hoffman Memorial Fishing Pier and discovered the 62-year-old father and 38-year-old son holding on to rocks as they awaited rescue.

After being pulled from the water, the two men were taken to St. Vincent Mercy Hospital in Toledo with critical injuries.

The crash reportedly smashed the hull of the 26-foot boat, causing it to partially sink.

The incident remains under investigation.