A speedboat outing on the Murray River in Mannum turned into a horrifying tragedy within seconds after Michelle Lohf, 44, drove the boat into two swimmers while allegedly intoxicated.

The incident happened just before 7pm on January 26, 2025, in Mannum, about 85km east of Adelaide. Emergency services were quickly called after reports that two people had been struck by a speedboat in the river.

According to court proceedings, Lohf was later arrested and last week was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to aggravated causing serious harm by dangerous driving. Another charge relating to leaving the scene after causing serious harm had previously been laid but was withdrawn in January.

However, what has now shocked many the most are the videos and CCTV footage capturing the terrifying moments before and after the collision.

CCTV from a riverside home recorded the moment the speedboat passed through an area where people were swimming. Meanwhile, video filmed by one of the three women who joined Lohf on the doomed river cruise captured the panic that erupted immediately after the impact.

“AMY, AMY, F***, AMY…” one woman could be heard screaming in terror.

Just seconds later, another voice shouted:

“I think you just hit someone. I think you just hit someone in the water.”

Moments before the crash, a man referred to as Peter warned Lohf to watch out for swans and jet-skis on the river.

“I’ll be fine. I got this, Peter-bear,” Lohf was heard saying in the footage.

During the court hearing, prosecutors said Lohf had consumed four bottles of champagne with three friends before taking control of the speedboat. Her blood alcohol level at the time of the collision was estimated to be 0.17 — far above the legal limit.

The consequences for the victims were catastrophic.

One young woman was reportedly torn apart by the boat’s propeller and has undergone 13 surgeries since the crash. In an emotional statement to the court, she said she initially had no idea how badly she had been injured.

“I only realised when I felt a flap of skin from my torso touch my arm,” she said.

The woman suffered internal lacerations, fractures to her spine, pelvis and ribs, had her spleen completely removed, and sustained nerve damage to her spine. Doctors said she still requires at least two more surgeries as part of her recovery.

During sentencing, Judge Heath Barklay described the injuries caused by Lohf as “horrific.” Lohf remained silent throughout the hearing, while her husband was seen leaving the courthouse immediately afterward.

Now, the footage capturing the screams and panic aboard the speedboat continues spreading across social media, leaving many stunned by how a simple day on the river turned into a devastating tragedy within seconds.