On Sunday night, a tragic boating accident claimed the lives of a father and his young daughter on the Gasconade River near Pointers Creek in Osage County, Missouri. The incident, reported around 7 p.m., involved a 2002 Gatorboat that struck a root wad, causing it to veer into a rock bluff. The accident resulted in the deaths of Reven Newbound, 30, and a 7-year-old girl, both from Owensville.
The boat, carrying seven people, was traveling upstream when the crash occurred. According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol crash report, the impact of the collision was severe, leading to the fatalities of Newbound and the young girl. Four other passengers sustained serious injuries, including Samantha Newbound, 29, also from Owensville. The injured children were a baby boy, a 4-year-old girl, and a 9-year-old girl, all of whom were wearing life jackets at the time of the crash. A fifth passenger, Taylor McClure, 21, of Bland, suffered minor injuries and was treated at the scene.
Osage County Sheriff Michael Bonham confirmed that all victims were taken to University Hospital for medical treatment. The conditions of the injured remain uncertain, and updates from MU Health Care are pending.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Water Division has launched an investigation into the accident to determine its exact cause. “The Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Water Division is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident to determine what led to this unfortunate event,” Sheriff Bonham stated in an email.
The accident highlights the importance of safety precautions while boating. While all the children were wearing life jackets, none of the adults were reported to have worn them. The incident serves as a tragic reminder of the unpredictable nature of water-based activities and the importance of safety measures to prevent similar accidents in the future.
The community of Owensville is mourning the loss of Reven Newbound and the young girl. The tragic accident has left a profound impact on the families involved and has brought attention to the need for boating safety and awareness on Missouri’s rivers.