A news release on the Missouri State Water Patrol website confirms some details about an accident yesterday at the Lake of the Ozarks FLW Series. According to the release, Horton and his co-angler Thomas (Leon) Williams (pictured) of Fairdale, Ky. were both thrown from Horton's boat.
The news release states: "Horton was operating the boat at about 55 mph trying to get back to the tournament weigh-in station when he hit a wake. Both occupants where thrown over the right side of the boat. Williams was taken to Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, and later flown to St. Johns in Springfield, Mo. Williams suffered a possible fractured lower lumbar."
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, a fracture of the lower lumbar spine can result in spinal-cord damage.
The condition of Williams is unknown. BassFan attempted to contact both FLW Outdoors and Horton last night. Calls went unreturned.
