Passengers escape as boat catches fire, sinks in Shrewsbury River

LEONARDO — Ten people had to be rescued from the Shrewsbury River after a speedboat caught on fire Sunday.

A Sea Doo Speedster 200 that belonged to Adam Gorcey was engulfed in flames in Rumson when the State Police Marine Unit responded to a distress call just before 2 p.m., according to State Police Lt. Ted Schafer.

Gorcey told he was having mechanical difficulty and was trying to jump start the boat when flames erupted from the engine compartment.

Gorcey told his passengers to get off the boat and swim towards a nearby boat. No one was injured in the incident.

State Police told Gorcey to contact a salvage company to remove the boat from the bottom of the river as soon as possible.

U.S. Coast Guard, Atlantic Highlands Fire and EMS, Middletown Fire Dept. and the the Brevant Park Fire Department of Leonardo all responded to the fire.

Contact reporter Dan Alexander at Dan.Alexander@townsquaremedia.com.

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