Nation IN BRIEF : OHIO : 23 Hurt When Boat Hits Crowd at Show

An 18-foot speedboat that was supposed to splash the audience hit a guardrail and soared into the crowd at Sea World of Ohio in Aurora, injuring at least 23 people. “It looked to me like someone lost control, even though at first I thought it was a stunt. Then people started screaming, and I was stunned,” said Don Glassmire, 44, of Coudersport, Pa. Authorities from Sea World and the Ohio Division of Watercraft examined the boat and spectators’ videotape to try to determine what went wrong in the show, which is based on the television show “Baywatch.” State officials blamed the accident on mechanical failure. Ski shows at four Sea World theme parks run by the Busch Entertainment Corp. were canceled, although other attractions remained open. “We are reviewing all of our safety procedures,” Sea World spokesman Fred Jacobs said.