Eight people were reported injured in a July 19 boating accident on the Meramec River, two miles upstream from the Campbell Bridge, after their 2019 Shoal Runner struck an underwater rock.

The 2 p.m. incident involved four adults who were not wearing safety devices, and the four minors were.

CPL. J.M. Hurt of the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated the crash and said that it occurred when the boat struck the underwater rock, which caused it to drift into and strike a rock bluff.

Both the driver, male, 34, from St. Louis, and an occupant, male, 35, of Bourbon, were transported by the North Crawford County Ambulance District (NCCAD) to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan. The driver suffered only minor injuries, while the passenger had moderate injuries.

A male and female occupant, both 30 and from Dittmer, were transported to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan by a Missouri Baptist Ambulance. The male suffered moderate injuries, while the female had serious injuries.

All the minors were transported to the Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan by the NCCAD. All four children suffered minor injuries, including three males, ages nine (of Dittmer), 10 (of St. Louis) and 12 (of Bourbon), and a three-year-old female (of St. Louis).

Hurt was assisted by Cpl. N.W. Summers, Cpl. D.C. Highley, Trooper T.E. Ebeling and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office.