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Chowchilla Today
By the People, for the People
Truck Rolls Off Boat Launch Ramp into Bass Lake
No injuries reported as vehicle submerges in Madera County lake
Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:41am
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A sunken truck at a boat launch ramp serves as a stark reminder of the need for heightened safety protocols to prevent similar accidents.Chowchilla TodayA truck ended up fully submerged in Bass Lake in Madera County after a mishap at a boat launch ramp. The owner of the vehicle, a man from Chowchilla, had stepped out of the truck to help launch two jet skis when the vehicle, left in neutral, rolled off the ramp and into the water. No one was injured in the incident, and the truck was later towed out of the lake.
Why it matters
Boat launch ramp incidents can pose serious risks to public safety, especially at popular recreational lakes like Bass Lake that see high traffic during peak seasons. This event highlights the importance of proper vehicle operation and safety protocols when launching watercraft to avoid costly and dangerous accidents.
The details
According to the owner of Bass Lake Water Sports, the truck belonged to a man from Chowchilla who was launching two jet skis at the ramp. As the man stepped out of the vehicle to assist with the launch, the truck, which had been left in neutral, rolled off the ramp and became fully submerged in the lake. No injuries were reported, and the truck was later recovered from the water.
- The incident occurred on April 20, 2026.
The players
Bass Lake Water Sports
A local water sports business that operates at Bass Lake.
Chowchilla resident
The owner of the truck that rolled into Bass Lake.
The takeaway
This incident serves as a reminder for all boat launch users to exercise caution, follow proper safety protocols, and ensure their vehicles are in park or neutral with the parking brake engaged before exiting to prevent similar accidents from occurring at public boat ramps.
