Memorial Day weekend tragedy as five are confirmed dead in Wilmington River boat crash and police recover bodies

Nine people were on the two boats; six in one and three in the other, officials said.

The four others involved in the crash are being treated for various injuries.

One was pulled from the water and flown to Memorial Health University Medical Center.

Phil Koster, chief operations officer of Chatham County Emergency Services, said that other boaters helped pull some of the victims out of the water before first responders arrived.

It is currently unclear what caused the crash, or how fast the vessels were going before the collision.

Koster added that one of the two boats sank following the crash, while the other was severely damaged.

Both boats were center-console vessels, designed for fishing and day cruising the reports.

The vessels have been impounded by investigators.

Multiple Chatham agencies responded to the scene of the incident.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources says they are investigating the deadly accident.

Authorities said it could take as long as 8 weeks to complete the investigation.