5 Rescued After Boat Overturns Following Merrimack River Collision

Five people have escaped serious injury after their boat overturned following a collision with another vessel on the Merrimack River.

Coast Guard officials say the 21-foot Jenna Marie capsized after colliding with the 58-foot Captain George just after 12 p.m. Saturday on the river between Salisbury and Newburyport. Both vessels were charter boats.

Authorities say nearby boaters pulled the five people from the water. One person suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

It wasn't immediately clear what caused the crash. The Coast Guard is investigating.

The Eagle-Tribune reports local boaters have said the water at the river's mouth can become hazardous due to the current, tides, the wind and a sandbar. Boats have been known to strike the sandbar.