Four people were thrown from a boat into the Piscataqua River along the Maine-New Hampshire border after the vessel collided with a buoy Saturday night.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a report at 8:18 p.m. that a 25-foot Boston Whaler had apparently struck the buoy on a stretch of river flowing between Eliot, Maine, and the Newington/Portsmouth area of New Hampshire. At least four people – including a 7-year-old boy – were pulled from the water and taken to a boat landing in Eliot, Coast Guard Petty Officer Meghan Manship said Saturday night.

The patients were treated by emergency responders at the scene and taken to local hospitals. Manship did not immediately have any additional information about the condition of the patients or where they were taken.

Crews from the Maine and New Hampshire marine patrol agencies as well as the Coast Guard responded to the scene Saturday night.

It was unclear Saturday night which agency, or agencies, would lead the investigation into the incident.

The Boston Whaler was recovered and the navigational buoy appeared to be fixed in the proper location, Manship said. The Piscataqua River – a major thoroughfare for boats – was open to boat traffic late Saturday night, Manship said.

A representative from the Eliot Police Department could not be immediately reached for comment Saturday night.

Kevin Miller can be contacted at 791-6312 or at:

kmiller@mainetoday.com

Twitter: KevinMillerPPH

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