Good Samaritan rescues boater after personal watercraft explodes in Calcasieu Ship Channel

CALCASIEU PARISH, La. (KPLC) - A Good Samaritan rescued a boater after his personal watercraft exploded on the Calcasieu Ship Channel Sunday afternoon, officials said. A man was trying to start the watercraft around 4:15 near Lake Charles when it exploded, Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck said. An eyewitness reported seeing flames shooting 10 to 20 feet in the air. A nearby boater pulled the injured man, who was wearing a personal flotation device, into their boat and brought him to the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office Marine Division, Einck said. He was then brought to CHRISTUS Ochsner St. Patrick Hospital in an ambulance. The LDWF Enforcement Division is investigating the explosion.