Boat explodes and sends child to hospital with severe burns
LAKE TEXOMA (KFOR) - A boat exploded on Lake Texoma Sunday afternoon and sent a child to the hospital with severe burns.
An Oklahoma City family's day on the lake turned terrifying after the boat they were in exploded.
Pictures from the Madill Fire Department show the devastated area as a smoke plume shoots up into the sky Sunday.
A report from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) stated that the explosion occurred at Bridgeview Marina on the lake just over seven miles east of Madill.
The boat was said to be operated by 52-year-old Brandon Cox from Oklahoma City and was a 1982 TNR cabin cruiser boat.
The child was a young boy who had to be taken by helicopter to Parkland Burn Center in Dallas, Texas.
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According to the report, the child was in stable condition but had burns on his arms, legs, and minor burns to his face.
Police believe it happened while the boat had been fueling at the gas dock.
It's reported that the boat finished fueling and drifted out from the dock. When the operator went to start it up a spark ignited the gasoline fumes and caused the ship to catch fire, then explode.
OHP reported that the cause of the explosion was equipment failure.