THE APEX TIMES
Search continues on Herrington Lake for missing Jessamine County man after Saturday boat crash
Mercer County officials say a boat struck a pontoon near Herrington Woods Road around 8 p.m., sending at least one person to the hospital and leaving Nazar Svintozelskyi unaccounted for as Fish and Wildlife leads the ongoing recovery effort.
Search and rescue teams continued Tuesday for Nazar Svintozelskyi, a 25-year-old Jessamine County man who fell into the water after a boat crash at Herrington Lake on Saturday evening, according to Mercer County emergency management and family accounts reported by WKYT.
Crews were called around 8 p.m. Saturday to the area near Herrington Woods Road, where a boat struck a pontoon carrying the Svintozelskyi family, the report said. The family was at the lake for a Fourth of July outing when the collision occurred, according to a family friend, Tetiana Soloshchuk.
Soloshchuk told WKYT that Alex Svintozelskyi was seriously injured in the crash and was airlifted to UK Hospital. The report said Nazar fell into the water during the incident and has not been found as of Tuesday evening.
Mercer County fire officials said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is leading the search effort for Nazar, WKYT reported. The agency’s involvement reflects the state’s role in waterway recovery and investigations related to wildlife and aquatic environments, while local responders coordinate on scene.
As search teams work in and around the lake area, Mercer County officials asked the public to avoid areas where crews are operating, according to the report. The request is intended to keep the search perimeter clear for responders and reduce the risk of additional incidents on the water.
The search has also included family outreach as the Svintozelskyi family seeks assistance with Alex’s recovery. Soloshchuk said the family created a GoFundMe page to help cover recovery-related costs.
In remarks to WKYT, Soloshchuk said she continues to believe Nazar can be found alive and urged community members to keep the family in their prayers while the search continues.
Why It Matters
- The ongoing search highlights the continuing public-safety risk and the need for people to stay clear of active recovery zones on waterways.
- The crash resulted in at least one serious injury requiring air transport to UK Hospital, underscoring the severity of the incident.
- Kentucky Fish and Wildlife leading the search indicates state involvement in water-related recovery operations alongside local fire and emergency management teams.
- Local officials’ request that motorists and boaters avoid certain areas may affect normal recreation and water access while the search is underway.
- The family’s GoFundMe indicates potential medical and recovery costs for the injured person as responders continue to look for Nazar.
Key Facts
- Mercer County emergency management said the crash occurred around 8 p.m. Saturday near Herrington Woods Road.
- WKYT reported that a boat struck a pontoon carrying the Svintozelskyi family during a Fourth of July outing.
- Family friend Tetiana Soloshchuk said Alex Svintozelskyi was seriously injured and was airlifted to UK Hospital.
- The report said Nazar Svintozelskyi fell into the water during the crash and has not been found.
- Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is leading the search, according to Mercer County fire officials cited by WKYT.
- Mercer County fire officials asked the public to avoid areas where search crews are operating.
- The family created a GoFundMe page to assist with Alex’s recovery, according to Soloshchuk.