Passengers jump overboard as speedboat bursts into flames

Four people have been forced to jump overboard when a speedboat exploded into flames in South Australia's Riverland.

The explosion occurred just after 1pm, on the River Murray at Sunlands, just outside of Waikerie.

Six people were on board the boat at the time, four of them jumping into the water, while the other two remained onboard trying to put out the fire.

A Country Fire Service spokesman said four appliances were sent to combat the blaze, and were helped by witnesses when they arrived.

"Quick thinking tourists ferried CFS fire fighters out to the boat," he said.

"The firefighters were able to use extinguishers to suppress the fire and tow the remaining hull to shore."

The two people who had remained on the boat were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.

The speedboat, which was described as "relatively new", had recently been serviced.

Valued at $35,000, it was totally destroyed by the fire.