The Orange Beach community is mourning the tragic loss of Kristin Delaney, who died after sustaining critical injuries in a boat collision on July 18 near The Wharf marina on the Intracoastal Waterway in Orange Beach, Alabama.
According to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, Delaney, 46, was critically injured when two boats collided near Wolf Bay. She was transported to a hospital for treatment but later succumbed to her injuries.
The City of Orange Beach confirmed that a total of nine people were hospitalized following the accident. In all, 16 passengers were aboard the two vessels at the time of the crash, with eight people on each boat.
Authorities said Cameron Neil, 32, of Houma, Louisiana, was operating one of the boats at the time of the accident. He was among those injured and transported to the hospital for treatment.
Other passengers transported to the hospital included Brooks Delaney, 51, of Fairhope; Talyn Faulkner, 25, of Raceland, Louisiana; John Lyle, 28, of Houma, Louisiana; and Rayford Reeves of Schiever, Louisiana.
Several city and state agencies responded to the scene to rescue and assist those injured, including the Orange Beach Police Department, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, and the Gulf Shores Fire Rescue Department. Some patients were evacuated from the scene by medical helicopter.
All uninjured passengers and both boats were returned to the marina at The Wharf after the incident.
No cause for the collision has been released at this time. ALEA led the vessel rescue operations and remains the agency responsible for investigating the accident.
Kristin Delaney’s death has left family, friends, and the wider community grieving a heartbreaking loss. Heartfelt condolences are extended to her loved ones during this difficult time.