N.H. man dead, Maine men injured in horrific hydroplane crash

One of the boats spun out at 65 mph, which is thought to have precipitated the tragedy. (Mike Gay/Taunton Gazette)

TAUNTON, Mass. - A 39-year-old New Hampshire man is dead and two Maine men were injured Saturday when their boats collided on a Massachusetts pond during a hydroplane race.

The incident occurred around 1 p.m. on Watson Pond in Taunton.

Neither the two injured Maine men, ages 67 and 72, nor the New Hampshire man who was killed were identified.

The 67-year-old Maine man was taken to a Rhode Island hospital where he was listed in critical condition Saturday, while the older racer was treated for minor injuries.

According to officials, the three were operating speed boats when the first boat, operated by the 72-year-old man, spun out of control at about 65 mph whereupon the second boat, operated by the New Hampshire man, collided with the first. The third boat, operated by the Mainer now in critical condition, then collided with the second.

All three men were ejected from their boats.

The hydroplanes in the regatta are similar to the ones that race at Milton during its summer kickoff celebration in June though it's not known if members of the South Shore Outboard Association that organizes the Milton races were involved in the regatta.