FLW Tour angler Andy Young could miss the next two Tour events with a back injury that he suffered in a boating accident on day 1 of the Lake Okeechobee FLW Tour last week.
FLW provided an update today on the condition and status of the anglers who were involved in the collision. According to a press release, the boat driven by Young, who had co-angler James Bianchi as a passenger, and a boat driven by William Campbell, accompanied by co-angler Lee Frye, collided when both anglers met at the end of a boat lane near Moonshine Bay.
Young and Bianchi were ejected, but were able to return to the boat after Young’s kill switch disengaged the engine. Both boats suffered damage, but were able to be driven back to the launch site at the Clewiston Boat Basin. Young sought medical attention and was admitted to a local hospital. The other three men declined medical attention. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission is currently investigating the accident.
Young was credited with 10-00 and finished 179th while Campbell and Frye were late to check in and later withdrew from the event. Bianchi continued to compete and finished 22nd on the co-angler side.
Both Young and Campbell plan to return to the FLW Tour this season.
“I’m sore, but I’ll heal and I’m thankful that the accident wasn’t worse,” Young said. “The doctor said that I have a compression fracture in my L2 vertebra – no surgery, but I’ll be in a brace for a few weeks. I’m extremely upset that I’m going to have to miss the Harris Chain tournament and maybe even Lanier, but I’m recovering and you can bet that I will be back out competing on the Tour as soon as I am able.”
“It was an accident, plain and simple,” said Campbell, who was fishing in just his second career FLW Tour event. “I’ve been on the water and driving boats for more than 30 years, and I’d never had an accident like this. It’s very unfortunate that it occurred, but I’m extremely thankful that it wasn’t worse.
“This isn’t going to stop me from competing,” Campbell continued. “Becoming a pro bass angler has been a dream of mine since I was 15 years old. For this to happen, on the first day of my first full season, is very disappointing. I will not let this stop me."
