Man killed in boat crash at Lake Mohave

David Kihara

Tuesday, June 28, 2005 | 11:03 a.m.

Investigators on Monday were still not saying exactly what caused a family-filled boat to flip Sunday near Cottonwood Cove at Lake Mohave. A 48-year-old Las Vegas man who had been at the helm was killed and four others were injured in the crash.

Dale Land said National Park Service officials told him that the 21-foot Sea Ray went airborne after striking something. Land's brother, Robin Land, a Teamsters journeyman who set up and dismantled convention displays and equipment, was killed in the wreck.

Robin Land's 12-year-old daughter, Nicole, and 15-year-old son, Jesse, were also involved in the accident, Dale Land said. Both were taken to UMC by ambulance and suffered minor injuries. The youths were later released to family members.

Land's 26-year-old nephew, Clayton Land, and a 15-year-old family friend named Dennis were also in the accident. Both were airlifted to UMC after the accident and suffered more serious injuries.

Clayton, who was initially on life support, was recovering from his injuries on Monday, Dale Land said. No update on Dennis's condition was available.

The National Park Service is still investigating the accident and could not provide detailed information.

The Sea Ray was found capsized on the shoreline, with Robin Land and Dennis pinned underneath, according to the National Park Service and family members.

Most of the boat was on land when it was discovered, said Roxanne Dey, spokeswoman for the National Park Service in Nevada.

Clayton was found alive floating in the water while Nicole and Jesse were reportedly ejected from the boat and were found walking on the shore, according to the National Park Service.

"In the past, accidents like this have happened when someone is driving too fast near the shore, or the driver has a heart attack or one boat is chasing another," said Dey, who emphasized that the cause of Land's crash has not been established.

Dale Land said his brother was an experienced boater and had been visiting the Lake Mead Recreation Area since he was a boy.

"It's ironic that he died this way because he loved boating activities and loved the lake," said William Land, another brother of Robin Land who worked alongside him as a Teamster.

He described Robin Land as a prankster who often played jokes on people at family gatherings.

"He was a real fun sort of guy," he said. "He will be missed and loved dearly."

"He was the kind of guy who would do anything for anybody," Dale Land said.

Land's wife, Kathy, died two years ago because of medical complications, family members said.

The Clark County Coroner's office has not yet determined Land's cause of death.

This is the 11th fatality at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area this year and the second involving a boating accident, Dey said. There have been other deaths in the park attributed to drowning, exposure, vehicle accidents and one homicide, among others, Dey said.