Two men injured in park boat explosion

by ANNA L. MALLORY
managing editor

Two men were injured at Harris Riverfront Park Wednesday afternoon while celebrating the holiday.

William Clay, Jr. and his brother, Matthew Clay, were taken to the hospital after the boat they were aboard caught fire.

Penny Neville was one of the first persons to call for emergency help.

"I heard a loud bang and ran to the pay phone to call 911," she said.

Matthew Clay had a large laceration on his arm, while Clay Jr. had singed hair, small scrapes and was "shaken up," William Clay, III, his son, said.

Clay Jr. had purchased the boat about two months ago and had just gotten it in the water during the past two weeks, Clay III said.

He said his father was more worried about his boat than himself.

"I was yelling at my dad to get off the boat. He was so worried. That thing was his pride and joy," Clay, III said.

The exact cause of the explosion is unknown, but it could have a been a glitch in the engine or fuel tank, Clay, III said.

Although the boat was not an older model, Clay, a professional mechanic, had worked on fixing the engine himself.

"I'm just glad no one got really hurt," Clay, III said.

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