A father and son were killed Thursday night in Las Vegas in a freak accident after a boat they were working on suddenly exploded and set fire to their house. The accident took place at around 6:30 p.m., as Hank Jackson and his 13-year-old son, Maurion, were working on the family fishing boat. The boat exploded and caught on fire, causing smoke to engulf the residence, which contributed to the fatalities.
Investigators have ruled the fire an accident, believing gasoline leaked into an ignition source, causing the fire to spark and filling the home with deadly gases and heat in less than 30 seconds.
“[Hank] ran into the house and he was on fire. Mrs. Jackson ran towards him to get the garden hose to try and put the fire out. Then, the 13-year-old son saw his dad and said ‘I’ll call 9-1-1,’” explained Las Vegas Fire’s Tim Szymanski, adding that Mrs. Jackson did not know her son had gone back inside the house.
Police officers had been in the area when the explosion occurred and rushed to the home after seeing 20-foot high flames. They tried to get into the house, but because of security bars on the windows, they were unable to get inside the residence for about 15 minutes, and by that time it was too late. They found the young boy unresponsive in a bedroom. Maurion was transported to UMC where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities believe he died due to excessive smoke inhalation. Szymanski explained the importance of having an escape plan in case of an emergency. The bars on the windows make it hard to leave the home, but also make it difficult for emergency crew to get in.
More information on the gas leak on the boat has yet to be uncovered, but if there was an internal issue with the structure of the vessel itself, the surviving family members may be entitled to file a lawsuit against the company that manufactured the boat for faulty equipment and wrongful death.
Tragic boating accidents involving defective equipment occur frequently, but those involved have a right to file a claim. Victims and their loved ones may be entitled to receive compensation for any injuries and/or losses, which may include money damages, medical care reimbursement and even lost wages if the incident has prevented the victims from returning to work. Our boat accident lawyers understand that the types of injuries that can occur due to faulty equipment on a vessel are unpredictable and devastating, and we are here to help you obtain justice for your pain and suffering if you or someone you know has been involved in a similar accident.
With over 200 years of combined experience representing those who have been wounded or lost a loved one in a watercraft-related accident, our boat accident attorneys will make sure those who are responsible for the incident are held accountable for any act of negligence or wrongdoing. Whether the boat accident happened on land or at sea, our maritime lawyers will ensure you obtain the maximum benefits you deserve. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your options and rights as a boat accident victim.
Published on September 28, 2012
Categories: Boating Accidents, Maritime Wrongful Death
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