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GREEN RIVER, Wyo. (AP) -- Four people were injured when the boat they were in on Flaming Gorge Reservoir was struck by another boat.
Brittany Ashcroft, of West Valley City, Utah, and four others were idling in a 21-foot bass boat Sunday when it was struck by a 24-foot boat going nearly 35 mph, according to Steve DeCecco, Green River supervisor for the Game and Fish Department.
The accident happened just north of the Utah line. All four in the smaller boat were struck by the bigger boat.
Derik Arnovick, 35, of West Valley City, Utah, underwent surgery on his hand at Sweetwater County Memorial Hospital. Brittany Ashcroft, 19, also of West Valley City, was taken to Salt Lake City with a broken back.
The two others were treated and released.
DeCecco said the accident happened when the driver of the bigger boat took his eyes off the water.
"He had been doing something with his cell phone," DeCecco said.
DeCecco said no citations were issued but the case has been turned over to Sweetwater County prosecutors.
He said alcohol was found in the larger boat but is not believed to have been a factor in the accident.
(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
