Multiple Injuries As Result Of Boating Accident
Mahaska County Sheriff’s Department
***Updated with Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office Press Release – July 2, 2019
On Saturday, June zs”, 2019, at approximately 10:45 pm, the Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Des Moines River, near Lanphier’s Landing boat ramp, regarding a 2-year-old child who had been injured in a boating accident. It was reported that the child was being transported by boat to this ramp from the river. Upon emergency responders’ arrival, it was discovered that, in addition to this child, three other individuals had also suffered injuries. All of these subjects were transported to the Mahaska Health Partnership Hospital. The child and an adult female were later transferred to the University of Iowa Hospital for further treatment of their injuries.
The preliminary investigation into this matter indicated that a boat, driven by 39-year-old Chad Armbruster of Oskaloosa, Iowa, had struck the bank of the river throwing all 8 passengers out of the boat. Other boats in the area assisted in getting all occupants safely back into boats and transported to the Lanphier’s Landing boat ramp. Charges are pending against Armbruster and the boat he was driving suffered extensive damage, as a result of this accident.
The Sheriffs Office was assisted during this matter by the Department of Natural Resources, the Marion County Sheriffs Office, the Mahaska County Emergency Management Agency, the Oskaloosa Fire Department, the Mahaska Health Partnership Ambulance Service, the Clay Township Fire Department, and the Mahaska County Dispatch Center. The investigation into this matter has been turned over to the Department of Natural Resources and is continuing.
***Original Story
Mahaska County, Iowa – Summer fun in Iowa often includes recreation on the many rivers and lakes.
At about 10:45 pm Saturday night, first responders from Mahaska County Sheriff’s Office, Mahaska County Emergency Management, Oskaloosa Fire Department, and Mahaska Health Partnership Emergency Services rushed towards the boat ramp located at Lanphiers Landing on the west side of the county along the Des Moines River.
The initial report indicated that a 2-year-old child had been injured in some sort of boating accident. The boat was heading to Lanphiers Landing to meet first responders.
Upon the boat’s arrival, first responders also located an injured woman and a second ambulance was dispatched.
The boat involved in the accident had received severe damage in the accident, said Mahaska County Sheriff Russ Van Renterghem.
Van Renterghem said the Iowa Department of Natural Resources was contacted because they are in charge of accidents on the water. “They came out, and we worked a joint investigation with the DNR.”
Three children and one adult was transported to Mahaska Health initially, with one child and one adult than being transferred to a hospital in Iowa City, a family member reports.
In regards to the preliminary investigation, Van Renterghem said that the boat ran into the river bank, throwing occupants out of the boat. “They were able to get back into the boat, and make it back to the boat ramp at Lanphiers Landing.”
The family says that four individuals were thrown from the boat at the time of the accident.
The investigation into the accident is ongoing at this time, and no names have yet been released.
Clay Township Fire Department and the Iowa State Patrol also assisted at the scene.
*Story updated to reflect the most recent information available on the accident as of July 1, 2019.
