SAN DIEGO (KGTV) — A scary scene unfolded at Shelter Island Thursday afternoon when a crane came crashing down, injuring two people and drawing emergency crews to the popular fishing spot.
According to officials, the unusual accident was caused by a massive blue marlin, estimated to weigh more than 500 pounds.
“I live right up at the top of Shelter Drive, and we heard this loud crash and figured it was just some construction,” said Elizabeth LaCosta, who has lived in Point Loma for 38 years. “Then all of a sudden, we saw all these ambulances, fire trucks, we saw them speeding down Shelter Island Drive.”
Firefighters say the crane collapsed onto a fishing boat with two men onboard. The men were pulled from the vessel with minor to moderate injuries.
Witnesses say the catch was so rare and powerful, it may have overwhelmed the equipment.
“That’s what I’ve heard, and it makes sense,” said Charlie Colson, who has lived on his boat at Shelter Island for 25 years. “I don’t think they’ve reeled in a fish this big here, so I can see why something failed. It’s unheard of — no equipment failures have happened before, so it’s odd.”
Locals say the blue marlin — caught off the Coronado Islands — is unusual. The average marlin caught by sport anglers runs between 150 to 250 lbs. Local fishermen also tell 10News that these marlins are rarely this far north, and many fishermen travel 2-3 hours south for a catch. Many can’t remember a marlin of that size ever being caught in San Diego waters.
“I come down here and everyone’s talking about this blue marlin — over 500 pounds, the first one anyone’s seen in about 15 years,” said LaCosta.
“It’s pretty incredible,” added Colson. “I’ve lived on my boat here 25 years, and I don’t remember anyone catching a marlin that size anywhere near San Diego. It’s just so out of the ordinary — I’m sure there will be a lot of excitement and a lot of people talking about it for a long time.”
San Diego Fire-Rescue officials tell ABC 10News the injured men are expected to be okay. By the time crews arrived, several Good Samaritans and fellow boaters had already stepped in to help pull the men to safety.
“The fishing and boating community here is very tight,” said Colson. “We live a life that’s so different than people living in houses, and when something happens, we rally."
