LONG BEACH — Six people were injured Saturday in a rollover crash on the beach one mile south of the Cranberry Road beach approach in Long Beach. One of the injured sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted to a Portland hospital.

The incident occurred just before 1 p.m., according to the Washington State Patrol, which is investigating the collision since Washington beaches are considered state highways under their authority.

Witnesses reported that the vehicle, identified as a 2000 GMC Yukon, was traveling along the beach at a “high rate of speed,” performing what are called “cookies or donuts.” The vehicle then fishtailed, lost control and rolled over up to three times, and came to a rest on its wheels at the edge of the waterline.

The driver, Ted E. Fowler, 46, of Idaho Falls, Idaho, sustained life-threatening injuries and was airlifted from Ocean Beach Hospital (OBH) to a Portland-area hospital. Sara R. Doty, 36, of Idaho Falls, the only adult passenger, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was transported to OBH; she was expected to be treated and released.

One child was injured in the collision and is only identified as an 8-year-old male. He was transported to OBH and was transported by ground ambulance to Doernbecher Children’s Hospital in Portland for emergency surgery to his left arm. The other three children ranging in ages from 2-8 years of age sustained minor injuries in the collision.

“At least one of the occupants was ejected when the vehicle rolled over, but we haven’t been able to confirm which occupant it was,” WSP Sgt. Bradford Moon said. “At least one of the witnesses that contacted Trooper Kelly Swanson stated that they were driving in a reckless or negligent manner further up the beach doing similar things.”

“We didn’t have any witnesses that said ‘at that time this is what they were doing,’ but that driving is certainly consistent with the circling and fishtailing, which is what caused it to … roll over,” Moon added.

The State Patrol has stated the cause of the collision was “exceeding a reasonable safe speed and fishtailing or circling on the beach.” It’s unclear if any charges are going to be filed against Fowler for the collision.