Five people ejected into river after boats collide in Sacramento

At least five people were injured Sunday afternoon when two private boats collided on the Sacramento River, ejecting them into the water, authorities said.

Four other passengers on the boats were able to stay aboard during the impact, said Sgt. Kurt Zeiler of the Yolo County Sheriff’s Department.

Several of the injured passengers suffered broken bones, back pain and bruises, he said.

One boat was traveling upstream while the other was traveling downstream on the river just moments before the crash occurred at 3 p.m. near Clarksburg.

The boat operators were traveling about 30 to 35 mph at the time of the collision.

Zeiler believes one of operators may not have been familiar with navigation law, which allows boats to travel anywhere without any specific lane direction.

The operator likely kept to a “lane” direction similar to that of driving a car, even to the point of impact, as the other boat also maintained its course, Zeiler said.

For breaking news throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.