Arizona man killed in Delaware boat collision

Damage to the pontoon boat involved in Saturday’s fatal boating accident. (photo courtesy Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police)

Damage to the pontoon boat involved in Saturday’s fatal boating accident. (photo courtesy Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police)

Authorities say a 78-year-old Arizona man was killed when a personal watercraft he was operating collided head-on with a pontoon boat in Delaware.

 

Sgt. John McDerby of the Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police says the watercraft piloted by Gerry Aster of Phoenix and the pontoon boat were both traveling at high speed when they collided Saturday morning.

McDerby says Aster was returning to Pot Nets Bayside as the other boat was leaving. The collision sent Aster’s watercraft several feet over the pontoon boat.

  • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

Aster was pronounced dead at the scene. The pontoon boat operator was identified as a 56-year-old Wilmington man. He was flown to a hospital, where he’s listed in stable condition.

The pontoon boat’s two passengers were not injured.

WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal