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Recently, on Flagstaff Lake in Maine, a boating accident resulted in the death of three people. The tragedy was heightened by the fact that the boat involved was a Sea-Doo Switch, which was recalled by Bombardier Recreational Products for an increased capsize risk and has already been linked to multiple other deaths. Legal professionals have called the vessel a “death trap” before due to its unsafe design.
Flagstaff Lake Fatal Boat Accident
On Sunday, August 31, 2025, authorities in Eustis, Maine, were notified of a boat accident on nearby Flagstaff Lake. They arrived to find that a Sea-Doo Switch carrying seven passengers had flipped, trapping and killing three people.
According to the boaters, the weather conditions and water were calm. Yet despite the driver’s best efforts, the Switch began to capsize, possibly nose-first. The early reports align with the recall warnings issued by Bombardier in February, which stated that the boat had a high risk of nosediving into the water, resulting in a capsize that begins in the bow. The company said that the recall included new warning stickers and hull seals, but it is not known at this time if the boat that capsized on Flagstaff Lake had been modified via the recall.
Sea-Doo Switch Accident History & Recall
Bombardier did not order its Sea-Doo Switch products to be recalled until the company was sued by a family in Florida whose young daughter was trapped underwater when their boat capsized bow-first. The infant suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result. After investigating the design of the Sea-Doo Switch, lawyers for the Florida family called the pontoon boats “death traps.”
The design of the Switch is unusual in that it has a central hull and a smaller hull on both the left and right sides of the vessel. It also doesn’t have fully sealed hulls, which makes it easier for the vessel to take on water. The unique design decisions are suspected to be the main reason why the Sea-Doo Switch might be prone to capsizing bow-first, including at slow speeds.
At least one other catastrophic boating accident involving the Sea-Doo Switch has been reported recently. In 2024, a 9-year-old child in Virginia died after the boat flipped over unexpectedly in the water.
Will Bombardier Face More Lawsuits?
Given the string of fatal and dangerous Sea-Doo Switch accidents in recent months, two things seem likely for Bombardier Recreational Products:
- The company may need to issue another recall, or the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) might force a recall.
- The company may soon face additional lawsuits from families harmed by the Sea-Doo Switch, including the family in the fatal incident on Flagstaff Lake.
The Maine Warden Service is still investigating the fatal Flagstaff Lake accident involving a Sea-Doo Switch, though. The outcome of the investigation could influence what legal action follows.
Do you need help understanding your rights and legal options after a boating accident in Maine? You can call (207) 417-4199 to connect with the boating accident lawyers and wrongful death attorneys of Berman & Simmons. We’ve made more than $1.5 billion in recoveries for our clients, and we’d like to see if we can help you demand justice, too. Schedule a free consultation with our trauma-informed legal team for more information.
