# ReleasableAccidentes

BARDID: KS-2015-0026
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2015-08-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Very rough
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 5:47 p.m. on August 22, 2015 Reno County, Kansas dispatch advised that a sailboat had capsized on Cheney Reservoir and one person was in the water swimming. When officers arrived on scene the RP that called 911 had towed in the sailboat and both occupants. There were no injuries. The operator said that they were in the middle of the lake when the pontoon on their sailboat broke. Operator estimated that the incident occurred at about 4:30 p.m. Operator said they were in the middle of the lake and there were no other boats nearby so he began to swim to shore, and left his bother with the sailboat. After Operator and been swimming for approximately an hour a boat passed by and towed in the sailboat and both men. Operator and his brother were both wearing life jackets.
 


BARDID: KS-2015-0027
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2015-08-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Parsons City lake–4 m N, 3 1/2
NearestCityorTown: Parsons
County: Neosho
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, August 23rd, 2015, at approximately 6:41 p.m., Natural Resource Officer was notified by the Neosho County Sheriff''s Department, which had been notified by the hospital in Chanute, KS, there had been a boating accident at Parsons City Lake in Neosho County, KS involving two personal watercraft. NRO was informed that two personal watercraft (PWC) had impacted and one individual had been injured and was at the Chanute hospital. NRO went to the hospital in Chanute to interview the individuals involved and met with Neosho County Sheriff Deputy who had already spoken with the individuals. Deputy informed NRO two females had been involved. 
 
NRO introduced himself to the two as well as another unidentified male with them, explaining he would be investigating the boating accident and asked them to tell the events which had taken place. It was determined there were four recently purchased PWCs owned by Operator1 and her husband. Three of the four PWCs were being operated on the water at Parsons City Lake at the time of the accident. One PWC operated by the unidentified male was at a different location on the lake at the time of the accident. There were no known witnesses to the event other than the two involved females. 
 
The victim, Operator2, explained she had been riding the borrowed PWC in circles causing wake and riding through the wake. Operator2 explained at the time of the accident she was falling off the side of the PWC. The victim''s leg was located over the edge of the PWC and was impacted by the other PWC. OPERATOR1 stated the water was choppy and it was windy. She stated she observed Operator2 falling off the side of the PWC and was traveling toward her in order to help her but lost control of the PWC she was operating and struck the other PWC with the victim''s leg impacted between the two. They continued by explaining Operator2 fell into the water and was helped back onto the PWC which she operated back to shore where they then traveled to the hospital in Chanute. 
 
OPERATOR1 stated there was no damage to the vessels. After determining the PWCs, NRO asked if she had the registrations for them. OPERATOR1 stated they were still registered under the seller''s name and had not been registered to them. NRO explained he would need to set up a time to inspect the PWCs for safety equipment and registration information. A time was set up for the following day to meet and inspect the PWCs. NRO had been in contact with NRO who is assigned to the area responsible for Parsons City Lake. NRO informed NRO he had completed vessel safety inspections on those particular PWCs the previous weekend and had explained the recently purchased PWCs needed to be registered in the names of the new owners before they were placed back on the water. On Monday, August 24th, 2015, at approximately 5:00 p.m., NROs arrived at the residence and made contact with OPERATOR1 and her husband. Upon contact, NRO asked if they remembered him from their conversation about boating laws the previous weekend. Owner and her husband stated they remembered him and the husband commented that now they would be getting a ticket. Owner produced the Bills of Sale for the PWCs. The two involved PWCs were identified and no significant new damage was observed. The husband started both of the involved PWCs to demonstrate that the throttles were not sticking. All vessel information was gathered and the husband produced the registrations belonging to the previous owner. OPERATOR1 and her husband stated they thought they had fifteen days to operate before the PWCs had to be registered in their name…
 


BARDID: KS-2015-0028
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2015-08-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:05:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
MachineryFailure: Fuel
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Based on statements made from the operator and occupants of vessel 1, I have reason to believe that the following occurred: 

Vessel 1 was fueled on or about 8-7-15 and traveled to Perry Lake on 8-8-15 with a full tank, holding approximately 30 gallons of fuel. 

At approximately 1900 HRS, an odor of fuel was detected on vessel 1; the operator and three occupants were on board at said time. The operator stated that they decided to leave after smelling the fumes. He said that the blower was running for five to ten minutes, while the engine was running at idle speed. 

One occupant stated that the operator was running the pump because vessel 1 was taking on water. 

Another occupant stated that after they smelled the fumes, the operator turned on the bilge to drain it. Then, as vessel 1 was navigating away from the cove, other vessels were in front of vessel 1 and the operator "hopped back on it" and added that vessel 1 wasn’t moving very fast when he "hopped back on it". 

An explosion occurred thereafter, in or near the engine compartment. Victim 1 was seated on the cushion located behind the operator, near the starboard quarter; she sustained 1st and 2nd degree burns. Victim 2 was seated on the cushion, near the port quarter; she sustained 1st degree burns.

A loud blast was heard during the explosion and black smoke was observed immediately thereafter, coming from the engine compartment. Flames were observed seconds later and all four persons exited the boat and were subsequently transported by KDWPT officers to the nearest boat ramp. Once there, they were bandaged and evaluated by an EMT.

The cause of the fuel vapor build up in the bilge of vessel 1 is unknown. A cracked or loose hose or fuel line, an unsealed fuel pump or filter, flooding of the carburetor, a cracked or overfilled fuel tank are a few possible origins. 

It is unknown where the spark or flame originated that ignited the fuel vapors, however, it appears that vessel 1 did have one or more electrical devices that did not appear to be "ignition protected", i.e., the distributor.
 


BARDID: KS-2015-0029
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2015-09-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
A large wave hit Operator2 and threw her partially off of the vessel.  She tried hanging on to the handle bars and in doing so had the throttle held down in her hand.  This caused her to go towards her husband and hit his vessel when he turned around to check on her. When they collided Operator2 was thrown off of her pwc and hit her face on PWC1.


BARDID: KS-2015-0030
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2015-09-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:12:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Meriden
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Other
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
OtherAccidentEvent: person struck by vsl equipment
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Victim 1 was ejected from vessel 1 after being struck in his mouth by something, possibly the boom, on vessel 1. The operator then grabbed a personal flotation device and entered the water to assist him. Victim 1 and the operator were able to get back on board vessel 1, later exiting it at the Perry Yacht Club.


BARDID: KS-2015-0031
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2015-09-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 6, 2015 at 1745 hours, I was contacted by Park Ranger about a prior boating accident that occurred on the water at El Dorado Reservoir. I arrived in the area of Bluestem area 7 and was met. I asked Operator what had occurred and he brought me to 2 PWCs setting on a trailer in the parking lot. I could see visible damage along the left side of one of the PWCs. I asked Operator how it happened and Operator explained to me he and his wife were aboard the 2 PWCs and were leaving the cove they were parked in. Operator stated they had just throttled up and saw a boat coming in at a high rate of speed on his left. Operator stated he turned hard to the right to avoid the incoming boat and made contact with the other PWC his wife was driving. Operator stated nobody was hurt and there was only minor damage to the PWC he was riding. Operator then stated he had talked to his insurance and they requested an accident report so I told him I would do one. I asked Operator if he or his wife had been drinking that day and Operator stated he had one since the accident but none prior and his wife hadn''t drank at all.
 


BARDID: KS-2015-0032
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2015-07-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Linn Valley Lake
NearestCityorTown: Linn Valley
County: Linn
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was off throttle and coasting to a stop when vessel two was still on throttle jumping vessel 1''s wake. Vessel 2''s operator was too close to react and impacted the rear of vessel 1 critically injuring the passenger on vessel 1.

See full narrative in criminal report.


BARDID: KS-2016-0001
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-02-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Private Pond
NearestCityorTown: Westphalia
County: Anderson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On February 6, 2016 at approximately 2100 hours Game Warden was contacted by the Anderson County Kansas Dispatch Center. They advised that there was a capsized boat in a pond just north of 1600 and Chase Rd. near Westphalia. The family member who called 911 said that they thought Victim may still be in the water.

Game Warden contacted Lt. who responded to the scene. Due to nightfall and dark conditions it was determined that only a shoreline search and limited searching with the Anderson County Dive Team would be conducted. The dive team said that the boat was anchored, and was left in its position overnight.

At sunrise on February 7, 2016 Game Warden assisted Game Warden Lieutenant using side scan sonar from a boat on the pond to locate Victim who was believed to still be in the water.  A sonar image consistent with a human body was located southeast of the capsized vessel about 5 feet.
A hooked pole was used to probe and capture the object that was under the water on the bottom of the pond. Once hooked and brought to the surface it was confirmed that it was the victim. Victim's body was taken to the shoreline and loaded onto a stokes basket. Once in the stokes basket the body was place in a body bag and taken to the awaiting ambulance.

Game Warden and Lieutenant returned to the overturned boat and brought it to shore where Victim''s brother took possession of it.  Anderson County Deputy took photographs of the victim, and the vessel as they were removed from the water. Inside the boat was a small ice fishing pole. The anchor rope and weight were left with the boat. There was no PFD found during this incident and the victim did not have one on his person.

The boat was a 10 foot jon boat that didn''t appear to have any damage caused at the time of the accident. It is unknown what caused the vessel to capsize, and what lead to Victim entering the water. There were no witnesses to the incident, he was fishing alone.
 
Once clear from the scene Game Warden went to the Victim residence and took additional photographs of the boat and located the HIN number on the boat.

Game Warden spoke with Anderson County Sheriff who advised that his department was handling the death investigation. Sheriff asked that a copy of this report be made available to his agency for further documentation of the incident.
 


BARDID: KS-2016-0002
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-01-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:15:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Fidelity Lake
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Sedgwick
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
The two males where waterfowl hunting using a canoe and had paddle out to retrieve a duck.  Leaning over side caused the canoe to take on water and capsize and both males end up in the water and canoe sinking.  The survivor swam to Victim to help, but Victim said he was ok and go ahead and swim to shore.  Survivor swam to shore and got out and turn around and Victim was no were in sight.  The extreme cold water and air temperature kept survivor from swimming back out and looking for Victim.  911 was called and Sedgwick County Fire Dept. Water Rescue Team was dispatched and several surrounding agencies responding to location.  Victim body was recovered by Sedgwick County Diving Team around 9:30 a.m.
 


BARDID: KS-2016-0003
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-04-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 03:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Weather
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 4/10/16 at 0800 hours I was contacted by subject via phone.  Subject stated he was out on El Dorado Reservoir the previous night for a bow fishing tournament.  Subject said at approximately 0300 hours, he was unsure where he was and was in far more shallow water than he intended and the prop hit ground.
 
 Subject stated he kept the motor part of the way down because he was afraid to lose total power with the way the wind was that night as it was blowing around 30 mph.  Subject said he eventually got the boat to shore near where the accident occurred.  Subject said he tied the boat off and left it there as it was swamped with water.  
 
I asked Subject where the boat was currently located and Subject stated it was approximately 2 or 3 coves to the South of Sailboat Cove.  Subject asked what he needed to do and I told Subject to get with his insurance company and find a company to salvage the boat as we didn''t have the equipment to do so.  I also told Subject once he got the boat off the water I would need to meet him to fill out a boat accident report.  Subject stated it would probably be later in the week and I said that was fine.  I met Subject at Mid Kansas Marine in Andover Kansas on 4/15/16 at 1520 hours.  I looked the boat over and saw extensive damage to the prop of the boat as well as several dings and dents to the rear hull of the boat.  Subject stated while the boat was tied up, it was in shallow water on rocks and that was where most of that damage came from.  I had a worker at the shop give me an estimate of the damage and was told it would be at least 3300 dollars.  I completed the boat accident report and provided Subject with my card and the case number on it.
 


BARDID: KS-2016-0004
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cedar Valley Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Geuda Springs
County: Anderson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
During the early morning hours of May 27 2016 Operator1, Occupant1, Occupant2, and Occupant3 were on Cedar Valley Reservoir fishing and running illegal set and trot lines. During that time the group was drinking alcoholic beverages. When a storm came in the group attempted to pull the illegal lines and return the boat to the trailer. 

As the group was headed back to the trailer Operator1 was operating the vessel, Occupant1 was running a spotlight on the bow, and Occupant2 and Occupant3 were seated in the boat near the stern. Occupant1 said that he saw a low hanging branch coming for the boat and dove into the lower area in the deck. The branch hit Operator1 and Occupant2 in the face. 

When the initial impact occurred the boat turned and struck at least one stump that was near the surface of the water. The secondary impact threw the occupants and operator within the boat. Occupant1 was not injured and said that the boat was stuck on a stump within 10 ft of the shoreline. Occupant1 said that he freed the boat, drove it back to the trailer, loaded the boat and the other victims and headed to the hospital.

This investigation is ongoing. Chemical blood tests and other interviews about the events still need to be completed.


BARDID: KS-2016-0005
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Kingman
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was driving the vessel toward the shore. Operator decellerated the vessel as a wave came over the bow of the boat. Operator believed that he had not emptied the bilge of the vessel recently. When Operator slowed the vessel the water from the wave came over the bow of the vessel and caused the bow to dive into the water. The aft them rotated past the bow causing the vessel to capsize.


BARDID: KS-2016-0006
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lovewell-4 miles E, 10 miles N
NearestCityorTown: Webber
County: Jewell
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator of V1 hit a wave and was ejected from the single person stand up PWC.  Operator of V1 was floating in water, unknown which side of PWC he was floating on.  Operator of V2, also a stand up jetski, stated he did not see operator of V1 due to waves and was following him at a distance of approximately 60 feet at a speed of approximately 10-20mph.  Operator of V2 struck V1 and also the operator of V1.  Operator of V2 realized what happend and circled back.  Operator of V2 entered the water and assisted operator of V1 as he was unconsious and face down in the water.  Operator of V2 moved his head from the water and then helped remove him from the water and assisted getting him on the swim deck of a nearby vessel.  Damage to V2 was limited to a cut and scratch on the foot plate where the operator stands.  Value was estimated at 100.00 in damage.  Operator of V1 was placed in a c-collar and on a backboard and transported to Broadstone Memorial in Superior, NE for evaluation.


BARDID: KS-2016-0007
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Glen Elder-12 miles W of Beloi
NearestCityorTown: Cawker City
County: Mitchell
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/04/2016 subject was fishing on Glen Elder Reservoir with two people. Operator was fishing within a 1/2 mile east of the Schoens cove area near the Solomon River Channel to the North.

 Operator had been drift fishing when the windspeed started to rise increasing wave size. Noticing the wind had risen and the waves were getting large, Operator decided to return to the Schoen''s cove area and load Operator''s vessel. 

When Operator started the vessel and turned southwest towards Schoen''s cove a wave came over the side of the vessel and stalled the motor. Operator was unable to get the motor started and waves continued to come over the side of the vessel. All occupants then put on PFD''s and within 1 minute of waves coming into the vessel the vessel flooded and capsized. 

After the vessel capsized all occupants held onto the vessel and floated to shore. Cleveland was notified of the accident at 1600 hrs when Kansas State Park Manager contacted Cleveland. Cleveland spoke with Operator on 06/6/2016 and conducted a phone interview of the incident.


BARDID: KS-2016-0008
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Centralia lake-2 m S, 1 m W of
NearestCityorTown: Centralia
County: Nemaha
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR1 was operating his PWC (vessel #1) near other vessels on Centralia City Lake.  OPERATOR1 turned to go the opposite direction that he had been traveling. Vessel #2 was coming towards OPERATOR1 towing SUBJECT on an intertube connected to the vessel by a rope.  

OPERATOR1 let off the throttle and continued coasting toward vessel #2.  Vessel #2 turned the vessel and caused the intertube to swing out behind the vessel toward OPERATOR1.  

OPERATOR1 tried to push the rope over his head, but he was pulled off of the PWC by the rope.  

The occupant on vessel #1, was sitting behind OPERATOR1 and was also ejected off of the PWC due to the rope.  SUBJECT, who had been riding on the intertube, had bailed off of the intertube before the collision.  

After the two individuals were pulled off of Vessel #1 the rope got caught around the handle bars of the PWC and caused damage to the surrounding fiberglass, internal steering parts, and the digital speed display.  OPERATOR1 believes the momentum of vessel #2 continued to pull the rope and cause the damage to vessel #1.  There was no contact with vessel #2, only the rope being pulled by vessel #2.  OPERATOR1 was given a written warning for Negligent Operation of a Vessel (KSA 32-1125) for operating his vessel too close to other vessels and in a manner that could endanger property or persons.


BARDID: KS-2016-0009
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Fuel
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
Jet ski operator and his passenger had just turned the jet ski they was riding right side up as he had just capsized the vessel. Operator and his passenger had a hard time getting back on the jet ski. Operator got himself on the jet ski. 

At that same time Operator pushed the starter on the jet ski causing an explosion. Operator stated that it blew him approximately 15 feet in the air, and that he could see fire come from the seat area. Another boater used the fire extinguisher from his jet ski to put the fire out. Operator was pulled from the water by a good sam who had been boating in the area.


BARDID: KS-2016-0010
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Neosho River-low-water dam at
NearestCityorTown: Burlington
County: Coffey
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Dam/lock
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/03/2016 at approximately 19:30 hours a boat accident occurred at Burlington, Kansas. The vessel had traveled upstream from the Burlington City Dam. The occupants were fishing using set lines on the east bank of the Neosho River. As the vessel came down stream they over-shot the boat ramp and turned to make another attempt at the ramp. The river current was very strong. The Corps of Engineers was releasing 8850 cfs at the time of the accident. The vessel turned up stream but was over taken by the current and pushed over the dam. Both occupants were ejected. One was thrown clear of the boil. The other was caught in the boil produced by the dam. The victim surfaced approximately three times before disappearing below the surface. The operator of the vessel showed signs of being under the influence of alcohol or other drugs. Operator was asked to do field sobriety test. Operator refused to take test. Operator asked to submit to PBT. Operator refused to take test. Suspect transported to Coffey County Jail. A search warrant was obtained and blood drawn from operator. 

The victim was recovered on 06/04/2016 at approximately 08:16 hours.
 


BARDID: KS-2016-0011
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: person struck by vsl equipment
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 18, 2016 I was dispatched to an accident at 1645 hours in which a female was struck in the head by an anchor.  I arrived at the scene in the Boulder Bluff Camprounds to find a white female laying on a tailgate in pain with blood coming from the side of her head.  EMS arrived minutes later and I let them take the female.  I spoke with subjects who were on board the vessel.  I asked what happened and they stated they had been anchored in a cove swimming.  He stated when they were done, the driver forgot to pull up the anchor and took off.  They stated the anchor came flying over the top of the boat and grazed Victim in the head.  I asked where the operator was and they stated he was worried about hitting the rocks there so he went to dock.  I asked where he went to dock and they didn''t know.  I asked who the driver was and they didn''t know.  They then described the boat as blue and white with a blue canopy that can be placed up and down.  I cleared the area at 1710 hours to look for the boat.

I returned to Shady Creek Marina and noticed a boat already loaded onto a trailer still in the water which matched the description.  I approached the vessel and viewed a male and two females.  I asked if the boat was involved in an accident and was informed it was.  I asked who was driving and subject identified himself as the driver.  I asked if he had been drinking that day and one of the females replied they all had been.  I asked Operator to come with me to my vessel.  I asked Operator what happened and he stated he forgot to pull the anchor when he took off and it flew over the boat grazing the girl in the head.  I asked how much he had to drink that day and he stated 4 or 5 beers.  I ran Operator through SFSTs and found him to be impaired.  At 1745 hours Operator was arrested for BUI and brought to Butler County Jail where he blew a .072 on the intoxilyzer at 1822 hours.

On Sunday June 19 at 1000 hours, I met with Officer who had collected the boat information for me and witness statements as well as any other information while I dealt with Operator.  Ofc provided me with the information and also stated one of the females also had a bruise on her thigh from the accident.  I also contacted the local hospital (SBA) in El Dorado and was informed Victim was treated and released the previous evening.  I was informed she had some staples put on her head for the wound and that was it.


BARDID: KS-2016-0013
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232 from
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause3: Weather
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
I, Game Warden for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism conducted an investigation of a vessel that sunk in Wilson reservoir which is in Russell County Kansas. Army Corps of Engineers ranger and KDWPT Park Ranger responded to the incident. 

They had received a call of a stranded boat with a rapidly approaching severe thunderstorm. The responded to the area on the patrol boat and found subject in his boat that would not start. They instructed subject to throw out an anchor and leave the boat and get aboard their boat. The boat was left overnight and when they returned the next morning the boat was gone. The gas can from the boat was found about 1.5 miles away on shore. The boat has been unable to be located since the incident.


BARDID: KS-2016-0014
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Sebelius (Norton)-3 miles SW o
NearestCityorTown: Norton
County: Norton
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: Weather
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
operator was operating the boat on Norton Reservoir. He was pulling up to the Courtesy dock in Leota Cove and came in too fast. Subject was at the front of the boat getting ready to offload on the dock. The Corner of the boat struck the corner of the dock, throwing victim into the upright dock bumper and into the water. He sustained an 8 inch lacereation on his right thigh. He was not wearing his life jacket at the time of the accident. He pulled himself onto the dock and they were able to load the boat before going to the emergency room in Norton. He had consumed 5-6 cans of CMB. Operator was not drinking.


BARDID: KS-2016-0016
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-06-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
OPERATOR was operating Vessel #1 while towing three individuals on an inner tube.  

Tuber1 fell from the tube and suffered a dislocated left shoulder. He went to the hospital for his injury.    Tuber1 believes he hit the water hard and did not hit any object or person when he was injured.  There was no damage to the boat or tube.  OPERATOR believes they were near the Devil''s Gap area of Perry Lake in the Delaware River branch of the lake.


BARDID: KS-2016-0017
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Big Hill-4 1/4 miles E of Cher
NearestCityorTown: Cherryvale
County: Labette
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
The operator of vessel 1 and the operator of vessel 2 were operating their vessels approximately north and were approximately side by side, when the operator of vessel 2 realized she was too close, she made an abrupt turn to the northeast to avoid colliding with vessel 1. 

The operator of vessel 1 realized the operator of vessel 2 was too close and he made an abrupt turn to the northwest to avoid colliding with vessel 2. 

When both operators made their abrupt turns at the approximate same time, the passenger of vessel 2 was ejected from the vessel and struck the starboard side of vessel 1.

 The passenger of vessel 2 sustained three (3) broken ribs. The operators of both vessels and the passenger of vessel 1 advised they were traveling at approximately 10-20 mph hour and were approximately 10-15 feet from each other when the accident occurred.


BARDID: KS-2016-0018
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale-3 miles NW of Paola
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was moored to the boat ramp dock on the left side of the boat and being held by Subject.  Vessel 1 was being unloaded on the ramp immediately to the right side of Vessel 1.  The operator of Vessel 1 reversed the throttle to back off of the trailer.  She continued to back up until she thought she had enough room to resume forward and turn away from the boat ramp.  She misjudged the distance and during the process of her turn to the left, she contacted Vessel 1 with the right rear corner of her vessel.  

The contact point on Vessel 1 was right behind the operator''s seat.  The force from the right side of Vessel 1 caused the left side to contact the dock.  The only visible damage to Vessel 1 was the scratching of the decals on both sides.  The adhesive from the decals was still visible, the scrathes had not gone all the way through to the gel coat.  The occupant of Vessel 1 is the son of the owner, and stated the two spots where the decals were damaged was the only damage done at the time.  When asked about other spots of damage on the vessel, he stated they were all previously damaged, including the damage to the prop and fin.  

There was no visible damage to Vessel 1.


BARDID: KS-2016-0019
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 2, 2016 I was on water patrol at El Dorado Reservoir at 1345 hours in the area of the submerged dam when I noticed a boat flagging me down.  

I noticed they were pointing towards shore where I saw a blue and white boat in the water with the passengers out of the boat and walking towards shore.  I slowly made my way to the boat and met the driver who was in the water holding the boat.  

The driver identified himself.  I asked Operator what had occurred and he stated they were driving along the North shore of the lake when they hit a stump with the propeller.  Operator stated he was worried about the condition of the boat and wanted to stay close to shore in case any problems arose.  

Operator stated they were driving less than 10 mph when they again struck a submerged object and then was stuck where we found them.  I asked what they were on and Operator stated it was a rock.  

I looked at my depth finder and with prior knowledge of the lake I knew they were on the old roadbed in about 1.5 ft. of water.  I asked Operator if there was a hole in the boat and he stated he wasn''t sure but he didn''t think so.  

I had all the occupants climb onto my boat and we hooked onto the boat to try and pull it off the rock. After a few unsuccessfull tries, I had Operator return to the boat to make sure there was no hole.  I viewed Operator open the engine compartment and reach inside and was told he could feel a rock so there was a hole in the bottom.  

I explained to Operator we would not be able to tow the boat for him since it would likely sink once we were in deeper water.  I made contact with dispatch and received some numbers of the Butler County Rescue Squad who were equipped for this situation.  I was told they would help out on Sunday morning and would call me.

On July 3, 2016 at 1130 hours I received a call from BCRS about the boat.  They stated they had it floated and needed my assistance to tow it to shore.  I met them at 1145 hours and towed the boat in.  Once the boat was on the trailer I looked under the boat to see a large foot hole in the bottom of the vessel.


BARDID: KS-2016-0020
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Eureka City Lake-4 miles N of
NearestCityorTown: Eureka
County: Greenwood
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 23, 2016 at 1545 hours I was contacted by Officer#1 about a boating accident that occurred and I needed to work at Eureka City Lake.   I arrived at Greenwood County Hospital to meet with a deputy that worked the accident at 1645 hours.  The deputy pointed out a group of people that were in the boat with the accident and I made contact with the group.  I spoke with Tuber1 who told me he was on a tube with Tuber2 when the accident happened.  Tuber1 stated they had caught a wave and went airborne and landed on top of each other in the water.  Tuber1 stated Tuber2 landed on his hip face first.  Tuber1 had a small cut to his hip.  The deputy then stated Tuber2 was knocked out and when he woke up it was about 15 minutes after the accident.  The deputy also stated he was incoherent and was being flown to Wichita for further treatment.  I asked Tuber1 who the boat driver was and he stated it was Operator1.  I spoke with Operator1 next to find out what occurred.  Operator1 stated they were on the boat and their parents were on another boat in the same area of the lake.  Operator1 stated he saw somebody fall while tubing from his parent’s boat so he did a wide circle around the boat.  Operator1 stated when he was completing the circle, the wake from the other boat arrived to their boat and the tube flew about 10 feet into the air and the occupants landed on each other.  I asked Operator1 if he had completed a boater safety course to which he replied he had taken the on-line course.  I also asked Operator1 if anybody had been drinking alcohol and Operator1 stated nobody had and I couldn't detect the smell on any of them.  I then collected the information of all the occupants and cleared the hospital.  I next went to Eureka City Lake to make contact with the lake caretaker.  He showed me where the accident occurred on the lake and brought me to the boat involved so I could collect that information.  I arrived at the boat and viewed all the safety equipment on board.  I collected the information and cleared the lake at 1745 hours.


BARDID: KS-2016-0021
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232 from
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On  July, 30 2016 at approximately 1100 hours Operator2''s PWC stopped running, so she was being towed in to the boat ramp by another PWC. at this point operator1 approched to check on his friend when his PWC lost power and steering and struck Operator2''s PWC on the right side, also striking the handle bars and smashing Operator2''s right thumb. Operator2 then went to the Russell county hospital and had a compound fracture. She then went to the Great Bend Regional Hospital where she underwent surgery on her thumb.


BARDID: KS-2016-0023
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Linn Valley Lake
NearestCityorTown: Linn Valley
County: Linn
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On the 14th of July 2016 at approximately 1415 hours, I, Game Warden, received a call for a Personal Watercraft(PWC) accident that occurred on Linn Valley Lake in Linn County Kansas.  I arrived on scene at approximately 1445 hours to 2 PWC''s that had collided out on the lake which resulted in 1 person being struck with one of the PWC''s.  OPERATOR2 was struck unconsciouss with the PWC and was already transported to Overland Park Regional by the time I arrived.  

I asked who was operating the vessel that struck OPERATOR2 and OPERATOR1 said he was, with subject on the PWC behind him.  OPERATOR1 stated he and subject were performing a ''donut'' with their PWC and when they came out of the ''donut'' they were airborn, and they collided with and knocked unconscious their friend OPERATOR2 who was operating the other PWC.  Another vessel came by and they were able to get OPERATOR2 on board and transported to the boat ramp where EMS and Linn Valley Police were called.  

I took several photos of both vessels and written statements by subject and OPERATOR1.  Both PWC''s were owned by OPERATOR1''S mother.  OPERATOR2 was a family friend and worked for operator1’s family.

On the 17th of July 2016 at approximately 1129 hours, I was informed that OPERATOR2 was released from the Hospital.

Nothing further at this time.


BARDID: KS-2016-0024
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:13:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 20, 2016 at 1613 hours I was on patrol at El Dorado Reservoir in the area of Beamis Creek when dispatch advised there was a collision between 2 vessels on the lake.  I advised dispatch I would be on route to the marina and was contacted by radio by Officer that he would remain on land in the area in case they came to shore before I reached them on the water.  Dispatch advised the boats were North of Veterans Point.

I boarded my boat at 1620 hours and went to where the accident was.  I was advised by Subject the injured rider was on another boat and heading to Shady Creek Marina where they would be met my EMS for treatment.  I advised Subject to meet them at the marina and I would take care of the other vessels on the water.  I arrived in the area of Veterans Point to see 2 red and white PWCs floating in the water.  One of the PWCs was unmanned and the other had visible damage with a female sitting on it.  I approached the female and asked if she was in any way injured and she responded no.

  I then asked if the PWC she was on was operational and she replied it wasn’t.  I asked what the other vessel involved was and she pointed to the other red and white unmanned PWC.  I asked if it was working and she replied it was.  I advised her to board that PWC and take it to the marina and we would pull the other one in and meet her there.  I pulled up by the other vessel that was floating and asked if the witnessed the accident and they replied they had.  I asked what happened and they stated their boat had a dead battery and one of the PWCs slowed and turned sideways to see if they needed help and the other PWC must not have seen because it ran into the other one and went airborne over it.

I arrived into the marina at 1645 hours to see EMS still on scene and the Officer Subject.  I met with the woman involved in the accident again and asked her to board my boat.  I asked her if she had anything to drink prior to the accident and she stated she had.  She stated she had just a little to drink a long time before the accident.  I asked her to remove her sunglasses and ran her through a couple of sobriety tests and couldn’t detect any signs of impairment.  I then asked if she would be willing to fill out a written statement about what had occurred during the accident and she stated she would.  

I asked Operator1 what had occurred verbally and she stated she was following (the other driver) and didn''t notice he had slowed and turned sideways until it was too late.  I informed Operator1 I would be filling out an accident report and would also be providing a report to the CA.  I told Operator1 about prohibited operation and how not leaving enough space between another vessel to prevent an accident is a form of prohibited operation.  I told Operator1 I would be filing a charge for prohibited operation.

While I was talking to Operator1, Officer Subject had left the area with the wife of the victim to retrieve the trailers for the PWCs.  I collected the information of the other rider.  When Subject returned and the PWCs were loaded, I took pictures of the vessels.  I cleared the scene at approximately 1710.

On August 23, 2016 I learned operator2 broke 2 bones in his left leg on the lower leg and is expected to make a full recovery.

Nothing further to report.  Refer to KLER report 20160440-037 for other questions.


BARDID: KS-2016-0025
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:35:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Milford-5 miles NW of Junction
NearestCityorTown: Milford
County: Geary
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/13/16 at approximately 2347 hrs, the reporting officer received a call from the Geary County Dispatch center, stating that there had just been a boat accident on Milford Lake near the city of Milford with possible injuries.  During response, the reporting officer made contact with the Sheriff.  Geary County Sheriff advised that two boats that were fishing on the lake and collided with each other, thus injuring a female passenger on the boat that got hit.  She possibly broke her arm, and was being transported to the hospital in Junction City.  Sheriff advised that one of the boats was drivable, and the other was not.  He advised that his officers, along with a Milford State Park Ranger, had launched their boat and were in route to the assist the disabled boat still on the water, and advised the reporting officer to respond directly to the Milford City boat ramp.  

The reporting officer arrived at the Milford City boat ramp at approximately 0026 hrs on 08/14/16, and spoke with Sheriff.  Sheriff stated that the victim boat was fishing in an overnight tournament on the lake, was stationary with their lights on in a Blue Wave boat, when a boat traveling at an unknown rate of speed struck them from the rear and ramped over the top and landed in the water.  He stated that the operator of the victim boat was ejected from his boat, and his wife was thrown down into the bottom of the boat, suffering a possible broken arm.  There were two occupants in the striking boat, a smaller motorize Bass style fishing boat, and they had no apparent injuries.  Sheriff said that his officers on the water were towing in the disabled victim boat as they spoke.  

The reporting officer spoke with the operator of the boat that was struck.  He stated that he and his wife were fishing in an overnight catfish tournament on Milford Lake.  At around 2330 hrs he heard a boat approaching his general direction at a high rate of speed.  He stated that he turned on all of his lights, in addition to the navigation lights he already had on, in an attempt to signal to the boat operator of his location to avoid a collision.  He said they were both wearing their PFDs.  The officers towing the victim''s boat to the boat dock arrived and the reporting officer photographed both of the boats involved in the accident.  The reporting officer transported the operator of the victim boat across the lake to get his truck and trailer so his boat could be hauled home.  

The reporting officer spoke with the operator of the striking boat.  He stated that he asked his wife to drive the boat after they were fishing on the lake, and decided to back to the truck.  He said they could see a boat with blue lights on so they went around the right as to miss that boat, but ended up hitting a different boat.  He said that they did not see any lights on the boat they hit.  The operator said that after they struck the other boat they went back to help.  The operator told the officers that his wife was operating the boat.  The reporting officer could smell the odor of an alcohlic beverage when the boat owner spoke.  It was determined that he was not the operator at the time of the accident.  

The reporting officer conducted a vessel safety inspection of the striking boat after it was removed from the water.  The registration was current and on board, the fire extinguisher was charged and accessible, the sound producing device did not work, there were sufficient PFDs (life jackets) on board, however they were all stowed in the floor compartments.  The navigation lights were working and on.  The reporting officer issued the boat owner a citation (NTA) for not having the PFDs accessible.

As of 09/28/2016, the reporting officer has not heard back from victim boat owner in regards to the extent of his injuries.  He only stated to the reporting officer that his shoulder was messed up.


BARDID: KS-2016-0026
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 00:35:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Tanglewood Lake
NearestCityorTown: La Cygne
County: Linn
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Grounding
AccidentEvent3: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On the 13th of August 2016 at approximately 0142 hours, I, Game Warden, received a phone call on a boat accident that occurred on Tanglewood Lake in Linn County Kansas.  The three individuals involved were wake boarding on the lake around 0030 hours when the operator of the vessel, collided with the dam and ran the vessel along the edge of the rocks until it came to a stop, on top of the rocks. 

 The individual wakeboarding at the time also collided with the rocks on the dam.  WAKEBOARDER was injured in the collision and suffered several lacerations on his head.  He was transported to Overland Park Regional Emergency Room before I arrived, once there it was determined he had a skull fracture and was in surgery soon after.  At this time he is still in ICU.  

the operator of the vessel, submitted to SFST''s given to him by Linn County Sheriff Deputies before I was notified of the accident.  I emailed a copy of the KDWPT Boating Under the Influence(BUI) Implied Consent Blood Draw form to the deputies who had WALTERS at the Linn County Sheriff''s Dept. office.  Operator refused the implied consent blood draw.  

Saber Towing out of Pleasanton, Kansas transported the vessel to their lot for storage or until LNSO has decided to release it.  

This is a supplemental report for the Linn County Sheriff''s Office.

Nothing further at this time.


BARDID: KS-2016-0027
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-05-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:24:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Kansas River-at mouth of Big B
NearestCityorTown: Saint George
County: Pottawatomie
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 5/28/2016 emergency personnel responded to the St. George boat ramp along the Kansas River for individuals who had fallen off their tubes into the fast moving river.  When officers arrived on scene, a large group of individuals were standing on shore and were stating that 3 males in their group were still missing.

Emergency personnel were informed the 3 males were up river from the St. George boat ramp.  Emergency personnel began walking upstream and were able to locate the 3 males who were walking downstream on the shore towards the boat ramp. 

Warden spoke with Operator and he stated that the group was floating downstream when he realized they were going to be coming up on a big pile of logs.  Operator stated he was wearing his lifejacket and that he had a lot of experience on the river.  Operator stated he tried to get up close to the brush pile and then tried to assist and divert the other members of the group away from the trees so they did not get into the log jam.  Operator stated that when he tried to turn around in the water, the kayak flipped and he ended up exiting it during the flip.  At some point Operator hit his head but he wasn''t sure if it was on the kayak or a log.  The 2 other males helped get Operator to shore and they then waited there until they decided to start walking towards the boat ramp.  Emergency personnel met the three men on their way to the boat ramp.  Operator was transported to the hospital for his head injury.  Warden spoke with Operator later and Operator stated he did have a concussion and also had a fractured right ankle.  Warden asked Operator how his ankle got injured in the accident and Operator stated he wasn''t sure how it happened.  

In the diagram, the 3 men were walking down river when they were located and actual locations of the incident were unable to be figured out.

Nothing further.


BARDID: KS-2016-0028
State: KS
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2016-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 00:47:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Kansas River-at mouth of Big B
NearestCityorTown: Belvue
County: Pottawatomie
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 09/04/2016 at approximately 12:45am, two people were attempting to set a trotline in the KS river near the Belvue boat ramp in Pottawatomie County KS.  Operator, the owner of the 14ft V-Bottom aluminum boat, was operating it via the 6 horse power motor on the back of the vessel.  Occupant was sitting in the front of the vessel.  Operator stated one end of the trotline was anchored on the sand island in the middle of the river and Occupant had the other end.  Operator and Occupant took the boat out into the river to set the other end of it.  Operator stated that as they were taking the line out, all of the sudden the line got really tight.  Operator stated he knew he needed to stop and turn the boat or else Occupant would be pulled in.  When he did so, he turned too sharp and fell out of the back of the boat.  Operator stated he then came up out of the water and grabbed on to the boat.  Occupant was still in the boat but when Operator tried climbing back into the boat, he pushed the vessel down far enough that water came in and swamped the boat.  Both Operator and Occupant were then free floating in the current of the river.

Occupant immediately started to swim and was able to make it to the North bank but Operator went the other direction.  Operator floated down stream approximately 200 yards before he was able to pull himself up into some shallow water.  Occupant waited where he was until a deputy with the Pottawatomie County Sheriff''s Department was able to locate him and get him up the bank.

Operator waited where he was until emergency personnel were able to reach him with the use of an airboat.  Operator was then brought to the Belvue boat ramp where his only injury he sustained were some small cuts and abrasions on his right forearm where he stated he believed the prop from the boat had hit him.  Operator refused medical treatment.  

All individuals were released after no medical attention was needed.  The vessel was a complete loss and has not been located.

Nothing further.


BARDID: KS-2016-0029
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:15:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Ozawkie
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Other
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent3: Grounding
OtherAccidentEvent: person struck by vsl equipment
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
No persons have been identified, having actually observed when, where or how the victim entered the water from V1. 

Based on the collective information received, it appears that the victim may have fallen overboard from V1 between 1500 Hrs and 1530 Hrs on 8/19/16, while it was underway. Based on where the victim''s hat was found and where V1 is believed to have been discovered aground, the victim may have entered the water approximately 1 mile east-southeast of the Perry Yacht Club. The victim''s body was also recovered in that general area. The depth of water for said area was approximately 23''-30''.

  

Just prior to entering the water, it appears that the victim may have been struck by something, possibly the boom, on the left side of his forehead. The main sail was reportedly up when discovered by witnesses, and the boom was "loose" and angled off to the side. An unidentified substance, similar in appearance to dried blood, was later observed on the lower port side of the distal end of the boom. The lifeline was not secured on the port side of the companionway when officers first viewed V1 on the slip at the Yacht Club. The swim ladder was up and the anchor was in when witnesses found V1 aground. Scratches in the hull, appearing to be consistent with running aground, were later observed on both sides of V1''s bow.

A witness reportedly had a beer with the victim prior to the incident and alcohol (cans and bottles) was found on V1. 

The following weather data was obtained from NOAA''s website (weather.gov) regarding the Ozawkie, KS area on said date: At 1453 Hrs, winds were from the south at 12 mph, with gusts of 24 mph; the temperature was 88 degrees F. At 1553 Hrs, winds were from the southeast at 10 mph, with gusts of 23 mph.

The victim''s body was observed floating near the surface of the water at 0716 Hrs on 8/20/16 and recovered immediately thereafter. The victim did not have a personal flotation device on when he was recovered.

The cause of death was ruled as Drowning, with Ethanol intoxication as a contributor. The wind conditions may have been a contributor also.


BARDID: KS-2016-0030
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Tuttle Creek- 6 miles N of Man
NearestCityorTown: Olsburg
County: Pottawatomie
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Steering
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On Wednesday 08/31/2016 Warden was notified of a vessel on the shoreline of Tuttle Creek Reservoir.  Warden was unable to investigate the vessel at that time and Lt. Warden took the initial report and located the vessel.  

Owner stated that the accident occurred 2 days prior, 08/29/2016, and that he was going to be returning the following Monday to the area.  The vessel was removed on Thursday 09/01/2016. 

On 09/05/2016 Warden was able to meet with Owner regarding the accident.  Owner stated this he was the owner of the vessel and he was out on the afternoon of 08/29/2016 with a friend and they were going to try out some new equipment. 

 Owner stated that around 7:00pm, he was boating along the East shorline heading North on Tuttle Creek Reservoir.  The location was near where Living Water Rd in Pottawatomie County KS dead ends at Tuttle Creek Reservoir.  Owner stated he was probably a little too close to the shore but that is where the calmest water was.  

Owner was going approximately 30mph, maybe faster, when suddenly he heard a loud "pop or bang" come from the rear of the vessel.  Owner turned to see what had happened and by the time he turned back forward he noticed he was heading for the shorline.  

Owner tried to turn the vessel immediately to the left but the boat did not respond.  He couldn''t get the boat to turn so he let off the throttle but the boat wasn''t slowing down fast enough and they then ran the boat up on to shore approximately 20 feet.  

Owner was still unsure of what the noise was and the damage sustained to the steering and prop area of the boat made it impossible to determine what may have been damaged prior to the boat running ashore.

Neither Owner or his passenger were injured in the accident.  When asked why he did not report the accident immediately Owner simply stated that he didn''t know he needed to.

The boat was removed by Marina staff on Thursday 09/01/2016.

Nothing further.


BARDID: KS-2016-0031
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-07-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:42:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Arkansas River-through Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Wichita
County: Sedgwick
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Officer arrived on scene and was told by reporting party that Kayakers going over the spillway under the bridge on 21st street heard yelling and noticed a male and female in the river and called 911. 
Sgt found 03 and 04 about 1/4 of a mile south of the bridge in the water.  03 said V1 was helping her as she had overturned in the river.  Both ended up in the water holding onto a life vest.  03 said she lost her grip and was swept downstream where she and 04 were able to get out of the river.
 Sgt. then made contact with 02 and 01. 02 said that V1 was helping 03 when she fell out of her kayak .  03 was able to get away from the boiling area of water. V1 was last seen just south of the bridge heading toward the northeast bank of the river.  01 stated that 03 was not very experienced and he was the most experienced.  01 said he didn't realize there was a spillway under the bridge and was going to check it out when 03 went over and was caught in the under tow area.  01 said he was trying to paddle back to them when V1 was able to get 03 out of the area and V1 was last seen about 3-4 feet south of the bridge headed toward the northeast bank.

The victim’s body was recovered July 28 over 8 miles from the 21st Bridge.


BARDID: KS-2016-0032
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:23:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Arkansas River-Kaw Wildlife Ar
NearestCityorTown: Arkansas City
County: Cowley
WaterConditions: Unknown
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
4 Individuals floating river in a strong high water current came upon a debris pile and they tried to paddle around pile but the current was too strong. They struck pile sideways causing the canoe to over turn and dumping all 4 people in the water.  Passenger#1 and Passenger#2 stayed above water but their son Passenger#3 and Victim went under the water. Passenger#1 found his son Passenger#3 under the water and got him onto the debris pile.  Finally they saw Victim hand and pulled him to debris pile and Victim was not breathing and water was too deep and couldn't lay Victim down to perform cpr.  Passenger#1 tried to perform cpr from the back and finally fire department arrived and removed Victim to shore by boat.  (Initial report done by another law enforcement agency stated victim had life jacket in canoe but was not wearing it.  Most likely no life jacket in canoe since 6 year old and victim went under the water but no proof of this).


BARDID: KS-2016-0033
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-08-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:08:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Sylvan Grove
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/28/2016 I recieved a call about a near drowning incident that had just taken place at Wilson Lake near the point at Big Bluestem Campground. I responded. by the time I arrived the victim was already transported to the Russell County Hospital and was in stable condition. 

Through a couple interviews I found that the young man was on a PWC. He stopped the PWC and stood up. He then fainted and landed face down in the water. A pontoon saw him and assisted him where I believe chest compressions were administered but the family later said that there was no CPR given.

 The pontoon took victim to the boat ramp where EMS arrived and took him to the hospital. I went to the hospital and interviewed the family and victim. They told me that the doctors were unsure why he had fainted but he did have a small bump on one side of his head believed to be caused by the fall off of the PWC. They also told me that victim had some water in his lungs and that he would be kept for observation. He had no severe injuries and was released the following morning.


BARDID: KS-2016-0034
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-11-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:40:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Private Pond
NearestCityorTown: Mayetta
County: Jackson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On November 16, 2016 I was advised of a possible boat accident and drowning that had just occurred.  First responders on scene located the victim and removed him from the water, where he was pronounced dead.  Once arriving on scene I spoke with the boat owner as well as the third person that was on the boat.  Boat owner advised there were back trolling into the wind using his trolling motor when he noticed the boat was taking on water.  Before the boat could reach shore it overturned ejecting on three occupants into the water.  The boats anchor fell out of the boat when it overturned prohibiting the boat from drifting to shore.  All three subjects clung to the side of the boat to stay afloat.  The victim decided to swim towards shore, during the swim the victim disappeared out of sight and didn''t resurface.  Eventually the anchor was lifted and the remaining two subjects held on to the boat until it drifted close enough to shore they could touch bottom.  Once on shore they drove back to their house and called 911.


BARDID: KS-2016-0035
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2016-11-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232 from
NearestCityorTown: Sylvan Grove
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On November, 6 2016 at approximately 2045 I Game Warden with the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, received a call from Park Ranger in reference to a missing kayaker. 

The kayaker’s vehicle and wheelchair were left at the beach in Sideoats Campground in Hell Creek State Park and he was suppose to be home by this time. I Arrived at the beach and spoke with Subject and the on scene Russell County Deputy. 

The weather conditions at this time were approximately 50 degrees and raining. I launched my 16 foot jon boat and myself and Subject Completed an initial search of nearby shoreline. Coming up with nothing I beached the boat and went to the now set up Command Post to get a plan. I called GW Cleveland and asked him to bring a boat and himself and also to give GW a call to head this way. I also notified my LT and asked if he would notify our CAPT. After speaking with the IC who at that time was the Russell county Undersheriff, we decided that we would deploy three boston Whalers with teams of at least 2 on each boat and we would start searching shorelines. I launched my Boston Whaler and had GW on board with me. 

GW1 Launched his Boston Whaler with an unknown individual aboard. A Park Ranger with the Corp of Engineers also launched a Boston Whaler with Park Ranger Subject also on board. After a short period of time we gained a picture of the Kayak and I believed I had checked this individual fishing in Marshall Cove and also in Hell Creek. Also Knowing that those are two popular spots for kayaker I sent the other two boats west along the south shoreline to search towards Minooka Park and and My boat went to the east to Hell Creek.

 After searching Hell Creek and finding nothing we moved ahead of the other boats and searched marshall cove due to there being shelter under the docks there. After finding nothing in Marshall Cove we reviewed the weather and decided to head to the North shore and start searching from Lucas point to the west, due to the fact that the wind was 15-25 MPH out of the S and SSE for the previous 12 hours. 

We got to the Lucas point swim beach and a vehicle pulled down to the beach. at that point GW2 and myself thought we had heard a yell. We shut the engine off and I began to yell back. We heard a faint yell to the west. 

we ended up on the second point to the west and got visual of Operator at approximately 2337. We approached from the East and found very steep banks. We found a ledge that we could get the boat up against and I got on land and set an anchor. I approached Operator and asked him if he had any injuries besides being cold and wet. He said that not he did not have any and he was glad to see us. The three of us carried Operator down the bank having to slide him on his butt to get him in our boat. We got him sat on the floor of the boat and wrapped him 2 wool blankets. I sat on the floor of the boat with Operator while Gw drove and another GWhelped him navigate. 

We reached the beach in Sideoats campground at 2346 and got him into MED1. After operator was warmed up in the ambulance he refused to be transported to the hospital and was released about an hour after we handed him of to the EMS personnel. 

The next morning we located Operator''s Kayak approximately 1 mile west of where we found him the night before. The kayak was upright but filled with water, it also still had the fishing pole in the holder and the depth finder still attached. We were unable to located Operator''s Dry bag which contained a set of clothes and his cell phone…


BARDID: KS-2017-0001
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-01-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 05:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale-3 miles NW of Paolal
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On the 25th of January 2017 at approximately 1430 hours, I received a voicemail.  I contacted SUBJECT at that time.  His boat had capsized on Hillsdale Lake earlier that morning around 0600 hours.  SUBJECT and his dog were on their way out to duck hunt on Hillsdale Lake around 0530 hours.  He had tied off his vessel from the stern to a tree approximately 100 yards north of Crites Boat Ramp, located in Hillsdale State Park.  The wind that day pushed the waves up over SUBJECT''s stern and flooded his vessel.  He tried to put it in reverse to loosen the rope and untie it from the tree, in doing so, he helped to swamp the vessel.

SUBJECT said he was the only one on board and did not take any injuries.  His dog almost drowned him, but he was ok.  The boat had turned around on him with the stern facing into the waves.  The waves overtook the stern and flooded the boat, causing it to sink.  He stated he tied it off to a tree and then swam for shore with his dog.  Most of the items in the boat were recovered, but the container with his paperwork, and whistle was lost.  I asked SUBJECT if he was wearing his lifejacket and he said no, it had floated away to fast for him to grab.  

The Johnson county Fire Dept. arrived around noon and they were currently trying to recover the vessel.  I told SUBJECT I would be there as soon as I could.  

I arrived around 1525 hours and found the Fire Dept. had recovered the vessel, as well as their own.  They also started taking on water and flooded their own vessel approximately 10 yards from the shoreline while pulling SUBJECT''s vessel in.  Both vessels were ok and the Fire Dept. vessel did not take any damage.  SUBJECT''s vessel was fully submerged and a crack was found on the handle attached to the mercury motor.  

SUBJECT refused medical attention.  We loaded his vessel up, I performed a vessel assist inspection.  SUBJECT was missing his PDF, which floated off as soon as the vessel went under, and his vessel paperwork was located in a container with his whistle.  SUBJECT did not have a fire extinguisher on board his vessel, and could not determine if he did before capsizing. 

Nothing Further at this time.


BARDID: KS-2017-0002
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-02-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Douglas-1 1/2 miles N, 1 mile
NearestCityorTown: Baldwin City
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Subjects had paddled the boat from the west bank to the east bank. They were on their return trip back to the west bank. Witnesses from the east bank stated they had heard what sounded like two people playing around coming from the water. The sounds turned from sounds of play to sounds of fear and splashing around.
As the boat took on water the two occupants went into the water. They began to swim to a light they saw coming from the east shoreline. One was able to swim to shore.  The other went under water and did not resurface. The victim was recovered on 02/22/2017 about 50yds from where the boat was recovered in about 28 ft. of water.
 The vessel was not equipped with PFDs for either occupant.


BARDID: KS-2017-0003
State: KS
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2017-04-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Missouri River-Atchison
NearestCityorTown: Doniphan
County: Doniphan
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, 04/01/2017, around 16:00 hours, operator put a 16'' Pelican Bayou Flat-back Canoe onto the Missouri River at French Bottoms. Operator had the goal of canoeing down stream on the Missouri River and to arrive near the Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas boat ramp sometime Monday, 04/03/2017. 

On the canoe, Operator had packed a tent, some camping equipment, several lanterns and head lamps, a yellow in color Type III PFD, which he was sitting on, and his cell phone. Somewhere near River Mile Marker 435, Operator was attempting to tie his canoe off onto the shore. Operator realized he left his tie rope at home. The weather on 04/01/2017 at 21:00 hours was cloudy, rainy and in the mid-to-low 40''s. It was also dark outside due to the time of day as the sun had set several hours prior. Operator remembers the canoe tipping to the Port Side and capsizing. 

Operator did not have his life jacket on and was unable to grab it prior to capsizing the canoe. Operator stated to me that he possibly had leaned too far to one side of the canoe, causing it to take on water on the Port Side and immediately flipping over onto the port side. When Operator came back up above the water, he attempted to board the up-side-down canoe twice. After being unsuccessful, Operator gave up and began to swim to shore. Operator stated he had over 100 hours of experience on canoes and kayaks, ranging back to his time as a young child. 

Operator made it to shore without injury, but lost all of his equipment and the canoe he was operating. The canoe Operator lost was owned by someone else. At the time of the incident, Operator was drifting and not actively paddling. Upon reaching shore, Operator climbed a very steep bank by using tree roots to support his feet. Upon getting to shore, Operator observed a light in the distance and could hear dogs barking. This was the only residence Operator could see, so Operator headed that way. Operator stated to me he remembered the house was a nice house with a two-car garage and three cameras on the outside of the home. Operator made contact with the homeowner, who gave him an extra set of clothes to change into. Operator did not know where he was, or the homeowners house. I used the timeline Operator gave me to establish where I believe Operator to have had his boating accident. I have no definite proof this was exactly where it occurred. Operator could not remember any other details other than those mentioned. Operator arrived back home after receiving a ride from another landowner in the area around 12:30 hours on 04/02/2017. Operator contacted me on 04/02/2017 at 08:11 hours to notify me of the accident. I interviewed Operator on 04/02/2017 at his residence. This interview was recorded on my body worn camera.

I have no further information to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2017-0004
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-21 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 00:18:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Middlecreek-7 miles S of Louis
NearestCityorTown: Louisburg
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
The operator stated that he was approaching some trees in the water and when he came close he attempted to push away from the trees using his arm. The operator stated that the branch he was pushing on broke, causing him to fall into the water. He stated that he yelled for help and another boat came and picked him up. The operator stated that he believed he had dislocated his arm.


BARDID: KS-2017-0005
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
The boat that was involved in this accident was rented from Perry Marina. Two people were on the tube behind the boat getting ready to be pulled.  Operator was sitting in the driver''s seat driving the boat.  Two people were seated to the port side of the boat.  Subject1 was standing in the isle between them and Operator looking back to the occupants on the tube.  

When Operator put the boat into gear to pull the tube the rope got tangled around Victim''s right thumb and pulled the fingernail and the tip of the thumb off.  Victim was then taken back to shore and his sister drove him to St. Francis Hospital in Topeka for medical treatment.


BARDID: KS-2017-0006
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:50:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Banner Creek Lake
NearestCityorTown: Holton
County: Jackson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On the above date and time a boater that was boating at Banner Creek Lake saw a Kayak floating near the shore on the north side on the lake approx. 1/4 mile west of the west campground. When the boater got closer to the kayak he noticed a body floating face down in the water near the kayak.  The boater called 911 and reported the situation to the Jackson County Sheriff''s Department.  Emergency responders responded and removed the body from the water.

The body was later identified.


BARDID: KS-2017-0007
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-05-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:29:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Meriden
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
The owner/operator of vessel A reportedly let the engine run for approximately twenty minutes prior to departing the Rock Creek Marina; it appeared to be running fine at that time. This was reportedly the first time vessel A had been used this season (2017) and it had recently been serviced by marina staff. After departing the marina and idling through the "no wake" area, the operator throttled up (gunned it). Then, after traveling approximately one hundred yards and getting up on plane, vessel A lost power. Smoke was then observed billowing near the stern/engine area. The operator then lifted the hatch covering the engine and observed a rolling flame. He then dropped the hatch, ordered the occupants to the forward section of vessel A, then waved down a passing vessel (unknown). After they boarded the unknown vessel, the operator observed the Halon system activate, which appeared to extinguish the fire. Vessel A was towed to the marina''s sailboat ramp thereafter.

While NRO was inspecting vessel A, he observed a plastic bag stuffed in the fuel inlet and noticed that the gas cap was missing. The operator stated that someone had lost the cap when it was fueled. NRO also observed what appeared to be oil in the bilge, below the engine. Burnt fiberglass and wiring was also visible. 

After consulting with four boat mechanics, NRO has reason to believe that the engine may have shut down due to a loss in pressure (hydraulic fluid leak) of the trim in the lower unit, possibly due to cracked or worn hoses. The fire may have started when the hydraulic fluid dripped or sprayed onto the engine block or exhaust manifold, thereafter.


BARDID: KS-2017-0009
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-06-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 18, 2017 at 1830 hours I was dispatched to El Dorado Reservoir for a boating accident.  I spoke with Ranger on the phone who was with the victim as the ambulance was picking him up.  Ranger collected his information and asked what happened.  Victim informed Ranger he was on a tube with 2 other people and they had taken a sharp turn and hit a wake with the tube sending all occupants into the water.  Victim stated somebody landed on him and knocked him out and when he woke up he had a severe pain in his chest.  Victim also stated he had a bar in his chest from an earlier injury and felt that something had gone wrong with the bar.  Ranger also was advised Operator was driving the boat and they were still on the water.  Ranger got a number of one of the boat occupants.

I met Ranger at Bluestem boat ramp #2 and called the number to get the boat to come in.  I made contact with the boat at 1930 hours and met with Operator who was driving the boat and the owner.  I asked what occurred this evening and was told they had been tubing and he saw the guys on the tube fall off and land on each other and Victim was hurt from the impact.  Operator stated he didn''t know Victim had a bar in his chest until after the accident.  I collected the information from Operator on the boat and occupants and performed a vessel safety inspection finding they had 2 stowed PFDs and no Type IV throwable on board.  I asked Operator if he had been drinking this day and Operator advised he had a couple over a 6 hour period.  I had Operator come to my truck where I performed HGN and found only 2 clues of impairment.  When the HGN was complete I was satisfied he was not over .08 and didn''t continue with sobriety testing.  I released Operator at this point and concluded my contact at 2000 hours.


BARDID: KS-2017-0010
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:19:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Skier mishap
AccidentEvent3: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
Just prior to the incident, Vessel 1 was pulling a subject on a tube, making multiple turns, port and starboard, traveling approximately 25 mph. 

Vessel 2 was turning (starboard) around, traveling approximately 6-7 mph. While each vessel was making a turn (starboard), they nearly collided with each other and the operator''s of each vessel altered their courses to starboard. While doing so, the subject on the tube continued to swing towards vessel 2. The subject on the tube then let go of the tube. Vessel 2 made a hard turn in an effort to avoid colliding with the subject but was unsuccessful. Realizing the subject was below vessel 2, the operator turned off the motor. The victim''s PFD became entangled in the propeller and he sustained injuries. The victim was helped onboard vessel 2 and the occupants wrapped his hand in a towel and called 911. Vessel 3 picked up the victim and transported him to shore. Vessel 1 followed vessel 3 to the shore. One of the occupants transported the victim to the hospital thereafter.

Operator1 had a .08 BAC and was also at fault for not possessing a proper lookout.


BARDID: KS-2017-0011
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Tuttle Creek- 6 miles N of Man
NearestCityorTown: Manhattan
County: Pottawatomie
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/08/2017, at approximately 6:31pm, officers and KWPT Game Wardens were dispatched to the Tuttle Creek Spillway Marina in Pottawatomie County KS for a sinking vessel with individuals on board.  After speaking with the individuals, the operator of Vessel 1 (V1) stated he had V1 beached V1 on a sandy shorline along Tuttle Creek Reservoir so that occupants could swim and such.  All occupants got back onto V1 when finished and V1 started to makes its way back towards the Tuttle Creek Marina.  

While in route, occupants of V1 started to hear the engine making some unusual noises and the engine eventually just shut off.  Occupants looked back and then realized that the back of the boat was almost to the water line.  Occupants immediately started to bail water and signal for help.  Another vessel in the area was able to come and assist and the 2 children from V1 were placed on to the helping vessel while the adults tried to bail water out of the boat.  An operator of a jet ski made his way over and was able to hook up to V1.  The jet ski tried towing V1 to the marina but was unsuccessful in its efforts and the boat took on too much water and sank in approximately 6 ft of water approximately 20 feet from the shoreline.  The bow portion of the vessel remained out of the water with the stern resting on the bottom of the lake.  Occupants were able to come aboard the KDWPT vessel and all belongings floating in the water we able to be retrieved.  No occupants of V1 sustained any injuries in the event.  They were able to contact an individual who was on the lake that day who did recoveries of sunken vessels.  Owners of V1 stated they were able to remove the vessel later that same night.  

Owners of V1 stated that after observation of V1 they noticed a patch job in the hull that appeared to have given out.  The hole appeared to be approximately the size of a full size basketball.  Occupants stated they never hit anything or had any idea how the patch could have been punctured.  Owners suggested that it may have just failed.  Owners stated they were going approximately 20mph when the hull failure occurred.

Nothing further.


BARDID: KS-2017-0012
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 15, 2017 at 1030 hours I was contacted by dispatch about a boat in the area of Veterans Point at El Dorado Reservoir which had capsized.  Dispatch advised other boats in the area were assisting and it was unknown if anybody was hurt.  I advised dispatch I would respond and to page out Butler County rescue squad.

I arrived on scene at 1045 hours and pulled up to a vessel which was floating upside down.  There were three other vessels in the area and I asked who was involved.  A female and male stated it was their boat.  I asked if anyone was hurt and Occupant stated her shoulder was hurt but would decline EMT treatment.  I had Operator and Occupant get onto my boat.  I asked what happened and Operator stated they had 2 kids on the tube and where just starting to drive.  

Operator stated they were turning while they were accelerating and a wake from another boat hit their boat and the boat just turned over.  I asked how close the other boat was and they stated they weren’t sure but it wasn’t very close at all.  I noted the condition of the water and the lake was very calm.  I hooked up to the front of the boat and towed it upside down to the closest boat ramp.  While towing the boat, it was determined alcohol was not involved in the incident.  I asked where the other occupants of the vessel were and was advised one of the other boats had brought the kids to their camp site.  Once at the ramp, I turned the vessel over to the rescue squad to try and turn the vessel back over.  I asked Occupant before continuing if they wanted us to get the boat out.  Occupant stated yes.  I advised if we damaged the boat more than what it was we wouldn’t be held liable and Occupant stated go ahead.  After several attempts, the vessel was not able to be turned back over in the water.  A winch was then secured to the boat and it was dragged upside down up the boat ramp where it was turned over and place on the trailer.  I advised Occupant I would meet with her at her residence on the 16th to collect the information for the report.
On July 16, 2017 I met with Occupant.  I collected the necessary information for the accident report.  I again asked what happened and the same scenario was told.  I left the residence at 1100 hours.


BARDID: KS-2017-0013
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 14, 2017 at 1930 hours I was contacted by Shady Creek Marina who informed me subject had received a call there was a boat in the rock quarry at El Dorado Reservoir which was sinking.  Subject provided me with a phone number of one of the people at the boat which I called.  

I spoke with subject2 who stated the boat had a large hole in the bottom of it because they hit either a stump or rock going into the quarry.  Subject2 stated the boat was close to shore and resting on a rock ledge.  Subject2 also informed me everyone was on shore and safe and there were no injuries to anybody.  I advised Subject2 I was on my way.

While responding, I contacted Park Ranger who had arrived at the rock quarry.  Ranger stated the boat was mostly sunk and he had loaded the driver of the boat who was Operator into his truck to go get Operator''s truck and trailer.  Ranger stated there was no alcohol involved.  I then contacted dispatch and had them page the Butler County rescue squad and advised them they needed to bring a boat and their pump.

I arrived on scene at 2015 hours.  I observed a vessel on the north side of the quarry which was mostly submerged.  I pulled up to the boat and spoke with the passengers who were on shore and again verified nobody was injured.  I asked Subject2 to explain what happened and Subject2 stated they were pulling into the quarry when they felt the boat hit on something under the water.  Subject2 stated the boat immediately began filling with water and they hurried to get the boat close to shore.  Subject2 stated when they got close to shore, everybody got out and the boat continued to fill with water.  I remained on scene until the rescue squad arrived.

Once the rescue squad arrived, they used the pump to get the boat floating to a level in which it could be towed.  I then hooked onto the boat with a tow rope and while 2 members of the squad remained in the boat to pump, I towed the boat to Sail boat cove to the boat ramp.  When we got to the ramp, I saw that Operator was there with his trailer in the water.  We loaded the boat onto the trailer and pulled it up the ramp.  When the boat was out of the water, water dumped out of a hole on the stern area of the boat.  The hole was about the size of a softball.  I spoke with Operator about what happened and he gave the same statement as Subject2 did.  I collected the information from Operator for the accident report and cleared the scene at approximately 2200 hours.


BARDID: KS-2017-0014
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Melvern-35 miles S of Topeka o
NearestCityorTown: Melvern
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/22/2017, at approximately 19:00 hours, the Osage County Sheriffs Office received a call about a boat accident at Melvern Reservoir in Osage County, Kansas. A pontoon  was traveling east on the main body of the lake between Eisenhower State Park and Arrow Rock boat ramp. The pontoon hit a ski boat. The ski boat was not under power at the time of the accident. The ski boat had just finished tubing and was pulling in a tube. 

There were a total of six people on board the ski boat. The pontoon had five people on board. The pontoon struck the ski boat on the starboard side at a high rate of speed. The point of contact was just in front of the captains chair. The starboard side pontoon struck the ski boat and travel to the stern of the ski boat causing major damage to the fiberglass. The middle pontoon struck the starboard stern as well causing damage to the fiberglass hull. All occupants of the pontoon stayed on board during the collision. Four of the six occupants of the ski boat were ejected or jumped in the water during the collision. 

These four were picked up by other vessels and taken to the Arrow Rock boat ramp for medical attention. At the boat ramp both of the vessel operators were given field sobriety test. The operator of vessel #1 showed some signs of impairment and was given a PBT that showed .080 at approximately 20:30 hours. He agreed to be tested at the Osage County Sheriff''s Office and tested .053 on the intoxilyer 9000 at 21:09 hours. 

The operator of vessel #2 showed no signs of impairment in field sobriety tests and PBT showed .000 at 20:12 hours. 

Pictures taken 07/22/2017 of vessel #1 showed some damage to the starboard pontoon. (See photos attached) A vessel inspection done at 20:29 hours at the Melvern Lake Marina. This inspection showed two violations of safety equipment. 1. No current boat registration and 2. No Type IV personal floating device. 

On 07/23/2017, pictures were taken of vessel #2. These pictures showed major damage to the starboard side fiberglass hull. (See attached)

A vessel inspection was also done at 10:55 hours on 07/23/2017. The only violation found at the time was the old registration number was displayed on vessel #2 and not the new Kansas numbers. 

Numerous witness statements were gathered during the investigation. All statements indicated the operator of vessel #1 did not see vessel #2 and struck vessel #2. Although Operator1’s BAC (.053) was under the legal limit, alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the collision. (See attached witness statements)



All of the six people that went to the hospital were checked out and released.  They had no injuries due to the two vessels colliding.


BARDID: KS-2017-0015
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 01:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 28, 2017 at 1000 hours I received a call from Park Manager that he had received a third party report of a sunk vessel in the area of Lookout Point at El Dorado Reservoir.  I advised I would investigate. 

 I arrived to the area of Lookout Point at 1030 hours and observed a vessel with the top 5 feet of the bow sticking out of the water.  I went to my patrol boat to investigate further.  I arrived by boat at the scene at 1100 hours and observed a cabin cruiser boat had sunk in about 10 feet of water.  The KA numbers were visible on the side.  About 5 feet of the bow of the vessel was above the water and the vessel was standing upright.  

I called the registrant’s number with no answer and left a voicemail.  A few minutes later my call was returned.  I advised Owner who I was and asked if he knew where his boat was.  Owner advised it was at El Dorado and it had sunk on him the previous night.  I asked if anybody was injured and Owner advised me he was alone and not hurt. 

 I asked Owner why it wasn''t reported to anyone this happened and Owner advised he didn''t "know what the protocol was".  Owner stated he had called his insurance and was waiting to hear from them on what to do next.  I advised Owner to return to the lake and meet with me.  Owner arrived at the reservoir at 1320 hours and met with me.  I again went over the details with Owner.  I asked Owner the events leading to the boat sinking.  

Owner advised he was on the North side of Bluestem point and slowly driving the vessel when he felt an impact under the boat.  Owner advised it didn''t seem like anything had happened.  Owner then stated he anchored and swam around for about 2 hours.  Owner then stated when he got ready to leave he noticed there was a lot of water in the boat.  Owner stated every time he gave the boat power the water went towards the back and killed the engine.  Owner said he was trying to limp the boat back to the boat ramp where his trailer was and it sunk on him at the point we found it.  

Owner stated when it went down he went to shore and was picked up by a passerby.  I asked Owner if the boat had any history of taking on water and Owner stated it has always had some water that came in the boat.  I advised Owner we wouldn''t be able to get the boat out of the water for him due to the size of the vessel.  Owner stated he would get somebody to get it out.  On July 30, 2017 at 1845 hours I was notified by Heartland towing that they had the vessel and were close to getting it to shore to pull it out.  I advised I would meet them there.  When the vessel came out of the water, I noticed 2 areas where water was coming out of the boat.  The areas were  the bilge area at the front of the vessel where the water should come out and the other was where the I/O connected to the vessel.  

Looking at where the motor connected, I could see where there had been caulking done several times.  I noted the drain plug was inserted into the vessel.  On July 31, 2017 at 1130 hours I met with Heartland towing where the vessel was being stored.  I took pictures of the stress fractures on the back of the vessel.  It is unknown whether these cracks occurred from impact or from the boat being drug to shore.  We investigated further the area where I saw water coming out the vessel.  We notice a red cable connecting to the motor which came out of the vessel through a 3/4 inch hole.  The was nothing stopping water from going into the hole.  We also checked the vessel for safety equipment and found it all on board.  After leaving, I met with the owner of Shady Creek Sales and asked him about the cable.  I was told the cable was a shift cable.  State determined that the sinking was either due to the impact causing the caulking seal to break or the hole where the shift cable allowed water ot enter.


BARDID: KS-2017-0016
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Kanopolis-33 miles SW of Salin
NearestCityorTown: Marquette
County: Ellsworth
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel #1 was at the slide in courtesy dock at Langley Point on Kanopolis Reservoir. The owner/operator of vessel #1 was sitting on the courtesy dock filling his PWC with fuel when Vessel #2 came pulling up. 

Vessel #2''s operator couldn''t see the PWC due to Vessel #2 sitting so much higher than the PWC and the cabin design. Vessel #2 made contact on it''s Ports side and striking Vessel #1''s starboard side at the courtesy dock. No injuries accord from the impact but personal property damage occurred.


BARDID: KS-2017-0017
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-07-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Melvern-35 miles S of Topeka o
NearestCityorTown: Lyndon
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject1 was sking on Melvern Reservoir on July 29th, 2017. Around 1400 hours Subject1 fell while watersking causing injury. Subject1 drifted in the water to the West bank where EMT''s placed him on a back board and Subject1 was air lifted to Stormont-vail hospital in Topeka Kansas. 


BARDID: KS-2017-0018
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 4, 2017 at 1445 hours I received a call from dispatch that there was an injury boat accident at El Dorado Reservoir.  Dispatch stated 2 PWCs collided with one injured and EMS was on the way.  I arrived on scene at 1503 hours at the boat ramp on the NW side of the dam.  I observed a boat with a man and woman inside. 

 I spoke with park ranger about what was going on.  Ranger stated this was the family and the woman was injured.  I observed to teenage women crying in the parking lot.  I approached them and asked what happened.  

One girl identifed herself as Operator2 and she stated she was the operator of the PWC that hit her mom.  I asked if she was ok and she stated she was.  I collected her information and asked what ocurred.  Operator2 stated the family had a boat and 2 PWCs on the water at the other end of the dam.  Operator2 stated her sister and dad were in the boat while she was on one PWC and her mom was on the other.  

Operator2 stated she was driving straight and in front of her mom Operator1 when she decided to turn.  Operator2 said while she was turning she was looking to see where her mom was and ran into her without seeing her.  I asked Operator2 if she had completed boater education and she stated she had and it was in the PWC.  

I asked Subject1 who was on the boat by where the wreck was if she saw what happened and Subject1 stated she saw Operator1 was stopped in the water.  Subject1 stated she saw Operator2 turning around and then hit her mom.  I asked Subject1 how fast she was going and she stated not very fast at all.  I asked if it was a sharp turn and Subject1 said she didn''t cut the PWC but it was more of a gradual turn.  I asked where the PWCs were and was told a boat came by after the accident and offered to tow them back to Shady Creek Marina.  

I then spoke with Subject2.  I asked Subject2 what happened from his vantage point and Subject2 stated he didn''t see it happen.  I asked Subject2 if the PWCs were registered in his name and he stated they were.  I asked Subject2 if the PWC Operator1 was operating had any mechanical issues or if she had stopped in the water on her own and Subject2 stated she had stopped on her own.  I told Subject2 I would need to look at the PWCs before he took them and offered to take his trailer and load them up for him so he could go to the hospital.  

Subject2 stated that was fine and I collected his information and took his trailer.  I then went to Shady Creek Marina and loaded up the PWCs which were both still operational.  The PWC Operator1 was riding had the starter switch on the handle bar and was almost completely detached.  I took the PWCs to the State Park compound area and looked them over.  I saw a small possible point of impact on the left side of the PWC Operator1 was on in the middle as well as some damage on the handle bar on the left side.  I also found an area on the right side where the paint from the KA numbers had been scuffed and was fresh.  On the PWC Operator2 was riding the only thing I could find was some purple transfer paint on the underside of the PWC on the right side.  I photographed the PWCs and looked inside the compartment and found the registrations and a boater education certificate from NASBLA for Operator2.  On August 6, 2017 at 1500 hours I met Subject2 and Operator1 to release the PWCs.  I asked Operator1 what her injuries were and was told the following.  

She had several stitches placed in her left leg, one broken rib, and 4 cracked vertabrea in her back which the doctor stated would heal on their own.  I asked Operator1 what happened from her vantage point.  Operator1 stated she was following Operator2 in the water.  Operator1 stated she stopped her PWC and was looking around when she was hit by the other one.  Operator1 stated she didn''t even see it coming.  I released the PWCs and talked to Subject2 about the possibility of Operator2 being cited for negligent operation.


BARDID: KS-2017-0019
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 3, 2017 at approximately 1230 hours I was on the water to the West of Shady Creek Marina when I noticed two unoccupied PWCs floating in the water.  I viewed two males floating in the water about 20 yards from where the PWCs were.  There was a boat in front of me which pulled up to the two males in the water and started waving his arms in my direction.  I pulled up to the males and asked what happened and was told by the male later identified as Operator1 that they hit each other and he might have broken his leg.  I loaded him onto my boat and the other male named Operator2.  

I asked the two if they had anything to drink today and Operator1 stated he had one beer about 2 hours ago and Operator2 stated he had one beer about an hour ago.  I left my boat holder with the PWCs in the water while I took the occupants to the marina.  I notified dispatch and had them send EMS to Shady Creek Marina.  Once in the marina, I spoke with Operator1 and Operator2 about how the accident occurred.  

Operator1 stated they were both driving beside each other towards the dam.  Operator1 stated he was a little bit in front of Operator2.  Operator1 said he saw a boat driving towards them so he veered to the right to avoid the boat and saw Operator2 doing the same.  Operator1 stated he saw Operator2 was taking a harder angle than he was and hollered at him but Operator2 never heard and ran into the back portion of his PWC.  

Operator1 and Operator2 were then thrown from their PWCs from the impact and into the water.  Operator1 stated he hit his leg on his PWC when he fell off and was pretty sure he broke his leg.  I asked Operator2 if he had anything to add to the incident and Operator2 stated it was pretty accurate.  I asked them if they would consent to a PBT test and both provided me a sample with Operator1 testing at .000 and Operator2 at .017.  After I released Operator1 to EMS, I took Operator2 back to the PWCs and returned them to shore where they were staying.  I collected the information and took pictures of the PWCs.


BARDID: KS-2017-0020
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 22, 2017 I returned from days off and listened to my voicemail messages.  I had one from August 19th at 1330 hours from dispatch stating there was a boat that sunk at El Dorado with nobody injured.  I returned the call to dispatch to find out information about the vessel to which they had none.  At 1430 hours on August 22 I went on the water at El Dorado and found a mostly sunk vessel with KA numbers.  

I called the registrant and asked Owner about the boat and what his plans were to get it out.  Owner stated he had hit something under the water and it sunk and he was leaving it up to insurance to get the boat out.  I told Owner the boat needed to get out of the water now since it had been 3 days already whether it was him or insurance.  I set up a time to meet with Owner to get his and the boat''s information.  On August 23, at 1430 hours I met with Owner in Wichita at his residence.  I asked Owner to explain what happened.  

Owner stated it was his second time on El Dorado in years and he was out there to explore the lake with his wife.  Owner stated they were in the area of Sailboat Cove and was following a boat through the timber.  Owner stated he felt his boat hit something under the water and the steering was acting weird after the impact like the rudder had broke.  Owner stated the boat had an inboard motor.  After the impact, Owner stated there was water coming into the boat and the bilge was running.  

Owner then flagged down a nearby boat who took everybody on board.  Owner stated once they were on the other boat, his boat sunk on the back end with just the nose sticking out.  Owner stated the boat they were on tried to tow in his boat until the rope broke.  I collected his information and the boats information.  

On August 23 at 1830 hours I was contacted by Heartland towing stating they were retrieving the boat.  I met them at the boat ramp and observed the boat as it came out of the water.  I noticed the back rudder was broke and water was dumping out of the boat through the hole.  I could see on the boat where the impact had caused the rudder to cut into the fiberglass of the back of the boat.  I also noticed damage to the propeller and asked Owner if this was new damage to which he stated yes.  I had noticed on his title that the boat engine horsepower was 44 and the engine in the vessel was much larger.  I asked Owner what horsepower this engine was and told 275.  I took photos of the damage and cleared the scene at 1930 hours.


BARDID: KS-2017-0021
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 07:48:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
According to statements provided to NRO, at approximately 0700 Hrs on 8/13/17, vessel 1 was launched on Perry Lake at the boat ramp near the Ferguson Rd bridge. Vessel 1''s owner was initially being towed and injured his ankle during his first run. The owner of vessel 1 then began operating his vessel, towing the victim on a wakeboard. The victim reportedly did well with the new board for approximately 30 minutes and made between 7-9 runs, prior to the incident. However, the victim reportedly appeared to have trouble sticking the landing. While he was being towed, the cruise control had reportedly been set at 20.5 mph. 

During the incident, as he was attempting to land, the victim''s face and chest made hard contact with the water and his legs went up and behind his torso. At which time, the board struck the victim''s head, causing the injury. 

Immediately after the incident, one of the occupant''s entered the water, without a pfd, and observed that the victim appeared to be incoherent and seizure-like. The operator also entered the water to assist the victim. With assistance, the victim was able to climb aboard vessel 1 and the occupant applied pressure to his injury thereafter. They then transported the victim to the boat ramp where emergency responders met with them. The victim was then transported to Stormont Vail in Topeka, KS.


BARDID: KS-2017-0022
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:04:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232
NearestCityorTown: Sylvan Grove
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Failure to vent
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 09/02/2017 at approximately 1504 hours I Game Warden, for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism was called out for an injury boat accident that occurred on Wilson Lake in Russell County, Kansas. I Responded. When I arrived I spoke with Park Ranger and he told me that the two injured people had been transported by ambulance to Salina regional Hospital. 

I spoke with an owner of the vessel. She was in the process of removing the vessel from the water. I called GW and he went to Salina Regional Hospital and Interviewed two people. They received 1st and second degree burns on the sides of their bodies. I then spoke with GW and he responded to assist me with inspecting the vessel.

 While waiting for GW I interviewed the owner and operator of the vessel. Operator told me that he unloaded the vessel at Lucas Point boat ramp and immediately drove to the marina to get fuel. He then told me that he had to wait in line at the marina so he parked in a slip. When it was his time he started his vessel and pulled next to the fuel dock with the starboard side of the vessel tied to the fuel dock. 

Operator then told me that after fueling was complete he loaded the passengers which were Occupant1 who was seated on the port side in front of the console, Operator who was seated in the seat located in the bow of the vessel, Occupant2 who was seated on the Starboard side of the vessel in front of the drivers'' console, Occupant3 who was in the captains'' chair on the starboard side. Occupant4 who was seat on the starboard side behind the drivers'' seat, Occupant5 who was seated on the starboard side in the farthest seat near the back of the vessel back onto the vessel, Occupant6 was seated on the port side of the vessel in the furthest rear seat and Occupant7 who was seated on the Port side of the vessel behind the console. Occupant3 turned his ventilation on for approximately 3-5 seconds and then started the vessel and heard a loud pop which he said could have been the vessel back firing. At this time the vessel (Fuel Vapors) Ignited in the rear of the vessel. All occupants of the vessel except for Occupant3 voluntarily exited the vessel. Operator got the fire extinguisher from the Marina fuel dock and used it. The vessel was also untied from the dock at this time and pushed away from the dock. After getting the fire out Operator sad he pulled the exhaust off (Backfire flame arrestor).
 
At approximately 2140 GW arrived and we visually inspected the vessel. We found that the backfire flame arrestor was off of the vessel. It did however appear to have been on the vessel at the time of the fire, due to the amount of fire extinguisher dust on the cap. There was also an absence of fire extinguisher dust inside where the backfire flame arrestor covered. No other serious damage was done to the vessel. GW and I also took pictures and the cleared the scene.


BARDID: KS-2017-0023
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:58:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Inadequate onboard navigation lights
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Based on information NRO received, at approximately 2258 Hrs on 9/2/17, vessel''s 1 and 2 collided with each other on Perry Lake. Prior to the collision, both vessels were under-way, traversing the water on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses. The owner/operator of vessel 1 estimated its speed to be approximately 40 mph. The operator of vessel 2 estimated its speed to be approximately 30 mph; she stated it was throttled back a little bit. Immediately prior to the collision. In an effort to avoid the collision, vessel 1 reportedly turned to starboard and vessel 2 reportedly throttled down, and turned to port. 

During the collision, both vessels sustained major damage to their respective forward areas and began taking on water immediately thereafter. The operator of vessel 1 was ejected and entered the water. After which, he used his type IV pfd and hung onto the side of vessel 1. An occupant of vessel 2 was also ejected and hung onto vessel 1, after entering the water. An occupant of vessel 2 threw him a pfd thereafter.

After the collision, vessel 2 traversed the water to the nearest shoreline, Limestone Cove camping area, and the operator and occupants exited along the shore. Shoreline witnesses boarded a pontoon vessel and retrieved the operator of vessel 1 and the occupant of vessel 2, who were in the water, hanging onto vessel 1 when they arrived. The pontoon then transported the men to the Limestone Cove area, where first responders met with them.

In regards to the navigation lights on vessel 1, the owner/operator stated his lights glow and that he''d just gone under the bridge and knows when his lights are working. He was not using the factory combination sidelights and had installed what appeared to be unapproved LED strip lights, approximately eight inches in length, below the rub-rail on the port and starboard side of the forward section. The pole for the white (all-around) light was in place when NRO arrived on scene, however, it was not illuminating. Three of the eight rocker switches on the control console had symbols; one appeared to be for a beacon, one appeared to be for the right (green) light, and one appeared to be for the left (red) light. NRO photographed said switches at 3:24 A.M. on 9/3/17, while vessel 1 was partially submerged. Three of the switches appeared to be in the ''on'' position at said time; the far left, the far right and the switch that appeared to be for the left (red) light, based on its symbol. The owner/operator indicated that fuses had previously blown, in regards to the switches with light symbols, and stated that the far left switch turned on his lights. The operator and some of the occupants of vessel 2 stated that vessel 1 did not have lights on prior to the collision. Two shoreline witnesses also indicated that they did not believe that vessel 1 had its lights on prior to the collision, however, trees may have partially obstructed their view.

In regards to the navigation lights on vessel 2, the operator stated she was 100% confident they had been on. NRO observed evidence that appeared to indicate that the front combination sidelight pole had been in place prior to the collision and had broken off thereafter. NRO photographed the rocker switches at 2:20 A.M. on 9/3/17, while vessel 2 was partially submerged. Based on said photos, NRO is uncertain if the switch, labeled LIGHTS NAV., was in the ''on'' or ''off'' position at said time. The white all-around light was illuminating at said time, however, it had an independent power source and was not wired to the control console. Said white light was not the factory all-around light and was much lower than usual. A witness reportedly observed vessel 2 traversing the water just prior to the collision and stated he''d observed its lights from the shore at said time. The witness indicated that immediately after hearing the vessels collide, all the lights went out. The operator of vessel 2 also indicated that the lights on vessel 2 cut out immediately after the collision. The owner/operator of vessel 1 indicated that he had not observed lights on vessel 2 until in close proximity of it, just prior to the collision. At said time, he reportedly only observed a white light on vessel 2.

Operator1 had a .19 BAC.


BARDID: KS-2017-0024
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Pretty Prairie
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause2: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was giving rides to friends on his speed boat. Operator and a passenger were heading south out of "party cove" on Cheney Reservoir. Operator said that once he got just out of the cove a wave caught the side of his boat forcing it under water. The boat then slammed down into the water causing a hull failure. 

Operator said that himself and passenger Occupant were ejected from the vessel to the right side and the vessel angled away to the left until the motor shut off. Operator said that another boat passing by was there right away and got Operator and Occupant out of the water and took them to the Marina boat ramp. Friends of Operator towed his boat to a shallow area before it was able to sink.


BARDID: KS-2017-0025
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:23:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Pomona Lake
NearestCityorTown: Vassar
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Fuel
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, September 10, 2017 operator told Officer that him and his wife went on a cruise of Pomona Lake.  They told Officer when they got over by the Management Park Corp of Engineer ramp the boat died.  Operator told Officer that he tried to start it but it would not start.  They told Officer that they decided to fish.  Operator told Officer he tried to start it again and heard a loud boom.  He told Officer that when turned around the top of the engine cover had blown off and the engine was on fire.  He told Officer that he tried to put it out with the fire extinguisher but it did not put the fire out.  He told Officer that they put their life jackets and jump over to another boat the came over to them.  State official explained that from his knowledge of fire accident investigations with outboard engines, it was more than likely caused by a fuel leak into the main engine compartment, causing the engine to fail, fumes to accumulate and then by trying to restart the motor, a spark caused the explosion; by lifting the cowling, air mixed causing the fire to erupt.


BARDID: KS-2017-0026
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:13:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lyndon City Lake
NearestCityorTown: Lyndon
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, September 23, 2017, Officer was contacted by Lt. at approximately 11:37 p.m. in regards to a possible missing person. Osage County Sheriff''s Office had contacted Lt. after they received a call about a missing person on a private watershed lake, known as Lyndon City Lake. The lake is owned by the father of the victim. Lake owner has a cabin located on the west side of the lake. At approximately 11:42 p.m. on September 23, Lt. called Officer and informed him to disregard and that they had found the victim. When Officer and Lt. were contacted it was not mentioned that the incident had been a boating accident, just a missing person on the water. 

On Sunday, September 24, 2017, Officer was informed that the missing person had actually been a boating accident and that the victim had sustained a severe head injury and was transported by Lifestar to Stormont Veil in Topeka to receive treatment. Officer went in to Osage County dispatch to investigate what had happened and retrieve information from the incident. Deputy was the first officer on scene and took the initial report of the incident the night of the 23rd. Deputy also took pictures on the scene after the victim was in route to receive treatment. 

The victim was the sole occupant on the vessel when the incident occurred. Victim appeared to have grounded the Jet Ski on the North end of the lake, along the dam. With the dam having a rock structure, the jet ski appeared to have come in contact with the rocks, causing Victim to be ejected to the west side of the jet ski. Victim then appeared to have struck her head on the rocks and sustained a severe head injury to the back of her head. The Jet Ski was found on its handlebars leaning towards the port side. Most of the damage to the vessel is on the port side indicating that when it struck the rocks, it rolled to the port side, ejecting the victim to the west of the vessel. 

It was reported that the victim had decided to get onto the Jet Ski that was located along the dock near where the group had been located. She started the Jet Ski, took off across the lake, and within minutes, a crash was heard and the victim was heard yelling. After speaking with the reporting party she stated that the victim had been drinking alcohol and that she had only witnessed her drink a couple of drinks. She also stated that Victim was experienced on the Jet Ski and that she operates the vessel on a fairly regular basis. 

on September 25, 2017, the victim was out of ICU and was stable and talking. , they agreed to a voluntary statement request. Victim also explained to Officer that while she was at the hospital, a medical professional of some nature, told her that her blood alcohol concentration was .10. Due to the legal limit being .08, by that statement, she was over the legal limit to be operating the vessel. The victim also stated that she had been drinking wine and palm breeze prior to the incident for her birthday weekend. Victim admitted that she did not remember much of the incident and that it was blurry. Officer sent a voluntary statement form to Victim and instructed her to return it to the Topeka office. Officer waited several months and checked in Topeka multiple times for the return. Officer has also tried to contact them to submit the report with no luck. 

Insurance information on the vessel is unknown at this time. The owner of the vessel has attempted to be contacted several times without answer.


BARDID: KS-2017-0027
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-08-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Other
OtherAccidentEvent: vessel destruction
AccidentCause1: Equipment failure
EquipmentFailure: Auxiliary
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 20, 2017 operator was driving a boat on Cheney reservoir towing a tube. The two people on the tube feel off, and Operator turned the vessel to the starboard side. During the turn the tow bar broke loose at the attachment points with the fiberglass. Operator said that they picked up the individuals in the water, but they were unable to recover the tow bar because it sank. On the tube was Operator brother and a friend. Also on board the boat were two males they were going to sell the boat to, but Operator did not know their names. Operator did not report the accident and was issued a citation for failure to report.


BARDID: KS-2017-0028
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Pretty Prairie
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 29, 2017 operator was driving his pontoon boat north on Cheney reservoir with five passengers on board. The vessel was traveling at approximately 10 mph when it struck an underwater concrete obstruction with the port pontoon. All five passengers were thrown to the floor of the vessel and operator hit the steering wheel. Two of the passengers stated that they were looking for the danger buoys marking the obstruction, but did not see it until just prior to impacting the concrete. The prop was also damaged during the accident. One subject was suffering from ankle pain believed to be a result of the accident and saw a doctor on October 10, 2017, but did not report an injury.


BARDID: KS-2017-0029
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-10-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Council Grove-1 mile N of Coun
NearestCityorTown: Council Grove
County: Morris
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
At 13:15 on 10/16/2017 Operator was operating his vessel on Council Grove Reservoir(CGRR) near Council Grove, Kansas. Operator was operating his vessel at full throttle crossing the main body of water in a South West direction of travel. Operator became distracted while viewing birds over his head in the sky for undetermined amount of time while his vessel was still under power. Operator looked back down and noticed his direction of travel had changed and braced for impact as his vessel grounded itself completely out of the water under full throttle upon White''s Point on the CGRR. 

Operator was thrown forward where the top of his head impacted the windshield of his vessel causing a laceration on his scalp and laceration/contusion to his upper lip on his face. Operator as well receive injuries of contusion and laceration  to his knuckles on left hand and the front of his knees from the secondary impact of the vessel running aground.  

At 13:30 an employee at the marina as well as EMT arrived at the scene from Operator''s call. He Administered first aid and brought Operator back to the Marina boat ramp on CGRR to the awaiting ambulance where Operator was transported to the Hospital at 13:45.

At 14:30 upon Inspection from myself, Game Warden of the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks showed the vessel to have ran aground on White Point with the front of the vessel point a direction of travel to the south west. The vessel had received damage to the bow from the impact of the rocks and on the port side with hole being torn through as well as a small hole upon the starboard side. The front windshield had spider web cracks from the impact of Operator. The vessel had two external fuel tanks that were intact and not leaking. There was no evidence of Consumed Alcoholic beverages on board or in the general vicinity of the crash site. During the vessel inspection it appeared Operator''s vessel had all the safety and required equipment upon board for his vessel. Operator''s Personal flotation device (PFD) and type four PFD were readily out and accessible. Operator stated he was not wearing his life jacket at the time of the incident. The propeller showed it had been chewed up from the rock when it ran ashore indicating the boat was in gear and under power when it reached the shore. 

At 15:30 I interviewed Operator at the Morris County Hospital where I gathered his information and his recollection of the events that had transpired.

On 10/17/2017 the vessel has been removed from the shore on White''s point and removed completely from CGRR.


BARDID: KS-2017-0030
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2017-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado-3 miles E, 2 miles N
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Missing or inadequate navigation aids
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
In late October, I was made aware of a boat accident that occurred at El Dorado Reservoir through my supervisors via an email chain.  In the emails, Operator stated he had an accident of $9800 on Labor Day and was concerned about the safety of the lake due to the lack of bouys marking all the submerged trees.  I made contact with Operator by phone in early November and asked if we could meet to discuss the boating accident as a report needed to be made.  Operator advised he would be out of state for most of the month and would contact me when he returned.  Operator contacted me at the end of November and I advised I would contact him when I had time due to the deer season.  

On 12/16/17 I made contact with Operator by phone and set up a meeting time for 12/19/17 at 0900 hours.  I asked Operator if he had the boat or if it was in a shop.  Operator advised he had the boat back and repairs had been made through Shady Creek Marina and Midwest Boats.  I contacted Midwest boats and asked about the damage and was advised a 6 inch hole had punctured the bottom of the boat and there was 4 feet worth of damage around the hole which didn''t go through.  I was also told there was damage to the I/O unit and propeller and the total damages was $9800.  

On 12/19/17 at 0900 hours I made contact with Operator at his residence.  I asked Operator to describe the accident and was told the following.  Operator was on the boat with his wife and friends and had been tubing earlier in the day.  Operator decided to show his friends the rock quarry area and traveled to the north part of the lake.  Operator described a well known route to the rock quarry in which you need to drive through a channel of trees to the NE of sail boat cove.  

Operator stated he had watched 2 other boats go through the channel and thought he was following in the same path when he felt the boat strike something under the water.  Operator stated he was going around 20mph when he hit the object which he felt was a submerged tree.  Operator stated he continued to the rock quarry and shut off the engine of the boat and noticed a large amount of water going out the side of the boat through the bilge pump.  Operator then stated he lifted up the compartment for the water skis and saw it was full of water.  Operator then took the boat and returned under power to the boat ramp and took the boat off the water.  I collected the information for the report and talked to Operator about the requirements of a boat owner to report a boat accident when it occurs.  Operator was issued a written warning for failure to report a boat accident.


BARDID: KS-2018-0001
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-03-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Tuttle Creek- 6 miles N of Man
NearestCityorTown: Manhattan
County: Riley
WaterConditions: Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 1625 hours on Saturday, March 03, 2018, Game Warden (GW) with Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (KDWPT) contacted GW requesting assistance with a suspected drowning at Tuttle Creek Reservoir, located 6 miles north of Manhattan, KS on K-13. 

GW1 responded to the Incident Command Post at approximately 1837 hours. There she learned a witness had observed a male kayaker go under the water and fail to return. The Manhattan Fire Department had launched a rescue boat and recovered a PFD and a shoe, but the victim and kayak were still missing. 

At approximately 0750 hours on Sunday, March 04, 2018, the KDWPT and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) each launched a boat from the Wildcat Marina. A Kansas Highway Patrol plane was also assisting. At approximately 0810 hours the USACE located the kayak, an 8-foot orange plastic Pontomac, just under the surface of the water along the eastern shore, south of Carnahan Cove and near the Living Water Ranch. The Riley County Police Department recovered the kayak and a tackle box with fishing gear. 

The firefighter who had witnessed the victim go into the water stood at the spotting scope in the same location he had been the previous evening and directed boat operator KDWPT Lt to the last known location of the victim. Lt marked the GPS coordinates of the location and marked it with a weighted buoy. A second KDWPT boat joined the search at about this time. All three boats used sonar to search approximately 400 acres surrounding the marked location of the disappearance. The search was postponed at approximately 1600 hours due to strong winds and large waves compromising sonar effectiveness.

The victim''s father, met with the officers on shore and thanked them for their efforts. He stated his son was a strong swimmer and may have removed his PFD to try to swim to shore.

At approximately 0700 hours on Monday, March 05, 2018, KDWPT and USACE personal met at the Wildcat Marina and concluded the weather conditions would not support search efforts on the water. KDWPT officers conducted vehicle patrols of the south end of the lake until sundown.

At approximately 0730 hours on Tuesday, March 06, 2018, KDWPT officers met near the Tuttle Creek dam and concluded it was again too hazardous to conduct a search by boat. An officer continue to patrol the shore by vehicle until sundown.

GW reviewed reports from the Riley County Police Department. According to the report written by Officer, subject1 had been bird-watching with a high-powered spotting scope from his lakeshore home, at approximately 1430 hours when he happened to see a male individual in a white shirt and blue personal floatation device (PFD) fishing from an orange kayak on Tuttle Creek Reservoir. 

Subject1 was concerned for the kayaker''s safety because it was windy and the water was rough, so he kept an eye on him for approximately the next half hour. Subject1 then stopped observing in order to get something to eat. When he returned to the spotting scope shortly before 1500 hours, Subject1 saw that the kayaker was now in the water trying to hold onto the kayak. Subject1 called 911 and reported the kayaker in distress. 

Manhattan Fire Department (MFD) responded to the subject1’s residence while a MFD rescue boat was launched. He observed the victim through the spotting scope, but visibility was intermittent due to large waves obscuring view. he saw the victim manipulating the buckles on the front of his PFD, apparently trying to remove it. The next time he saw the victim he was no longer wearing the PFD, which was floating several yards away.  A wave rolled over the victim and he was not seen again.  Neither the victim nor the kayak were recovered.

The victim was later recovered.  His cause of death was drowning.


BARDID: KS-2018-0002
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:26:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232 from
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 05/26/2018 I, Game Warden for Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism, while on patrol on Wilson Lake in Russell County, Kansas responded to a report of a vessel on fire near Lucas Point. We Arrived on our Patrol Boat at approximately 1632 hours. All occupants of the vessel had already voluntarily left the vessel and were picked up by other good Samaritans. Upon arrival the vessel was completely engulfed in flames. I made contact with USACE Park Ranger and the operator/owner of the vessel. I threw out 2 marker buoys and got GPS location of the vessel. We allowed the vessel to drift closer to shore where Lucas Fire Department was able to extinguish the fire. I attached the vessel to my vessel and towed it back to the Lucas boat ramp. At this time I took many pictures and then had the Fire Department finish extinguishing the remaining hot spots. At this point we loaded the vessel and took possession for completion of our investigation. 

According to Subject there were 7 individuals on board the vessel and two being towed in a tube behind the vessel. Subject told me that they were out tubing and the vessel’s engine was misfiring so he stopped the vessel and turned it off. Subject opened a hatch and shut it. He started the vessel again and began to travel west towing a tube. After about 15 seconds Subject heard a noise and looked back and saw flames coming out the left side of the engine compartment. Subject to everyone to get off the boat. He attempted to get his fire extinguisher in the rear of the boat but could not get it due to the fire and smoke. He attempted to use a bail bucket but was unable to extinguish the fire and exited the vessel then was picked up by the USACE patrol boat. All occupants of the vessel were uninjured and taken to shore.

Nothing further to report at this time...


BARDID: KS-2018-0003
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Pretty Prairie
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject was attempting to wake board on Cheney Reservoir. Subject was in the water attempting to get up on the wake board when she experienced a break in her right femur. Operatorstated that Subject had tried to stand up on the wake board but was not able to get out of the water prior to the accident. Subject was transported to the boat ramp by the boat operator .


BARDID: KS-2018-0004
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Victim jumped off the back of the vessel to attempt to assist with a disabled jet ski they were going to tow. Victim was struck by the propeller in the right thigh area.


BARDID: KS-2018-0005
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Pomona-25 miles S of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Vassar
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 28, 2018, at approximately 14:45 hrs, game warden was on patrol in Osage County Kansas. Warden received a call about a vessel accident on Pomona and was told the victim was currently at Lighthouse Bay Marina. Warden responded to Lighthouse bay marina and located the vessel and its occupants. EMS was already on scene and examining the victim. Park ranger was also already on scene and talking to the vessel''s occupants. Warden started by talking to the victim. The victim was complaining of shoulder pain and believed his shoulder was dislocated. Victim said he had a bad shoulder from a previous dislocation injury. 
Victim said he was just beginning to wakeboard when he attempted a jump. On the jump Victim said the rope jerked his shoulder out of place. Victim was wearing a PFD at the time, and was able to float in place until the vessel returned to pick him up. 
Operator said the boat was cruising at 20-22 mph at the time of the fall. Operator said Victim attempted a trick and fell hard. Operator said the observers in the boat alerted him, and he went back and picked up Victim. Operator then brought the vessel back to the marina and called 911. Victim refused to be taken by ambulance but did ride with a friend to Ransom Hospital in Ottawa Kansas. Warden talked with the other 7 passengers and everyone had the same story. Warden contacted Victim again on May 29th 2018, and Victim reported that the doctor popped his shoulder back into place and that he was doing fine now. Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2018-0007
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton-5 miles S of Lawrence
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Overloading
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause3: Weather
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, May 27, 2019 at approximately 4:00 p.m., a call came out in regards to a sunken vessel on Clinton Lake near Clinton State Park east boat ramp. When the call came out, Officers were on a vessel stop on the West side of the lake. Officers were dealing with a vessel short on life jackets and escorting them to the marina at the time of incident. Officer2 took the call and advised that the subjects were no longer in danger and had been picked up by another vessel and taken to shore. Officers completed the stop at the marina and went en route to the east boat ramp. 

Upon arrival, Officer1 made contact with Operator and subject1. The two individuals stated that their bass boat had sunk near the no wake buoy as they were returning to the boat ramp. The two had been fishing near the dam and had stated they had been knocked into the dam rocks prior to heading to shore. Officer1 asked if they had punched a hole in the vessel in doing so and they were unsure. Officer1 advised them that officers would attempt to tow the vessel in towards shore to eliminate the safety hazard of it being beneath the water line of the lake. Officer1 hooked a rope onto the bow eye, that was located approximately a foot underwater. The vessel was then towed in to the boat ramp. Due to the boat being upside down, several individuals assisted Operator and subject1 flip the vessel over enough to get it back onto the trailer for them. Officer1 took pictures of the bottom and side of the vessel and did not locate any clearly visible holes or gouges from the boat hitting the rocks. Once asked how the incident happened again, the subjects stated that the water had originally come over the rear of the vessel and swamped the back of the boat. They stated that they thought the motor was maybe a little too heavy. Upon inspection, Officer1 noted that the vessel had fuel tanks capable of holding approximately 18 gallons of gas and two batteries in the rear of the vessel. Due to the weight of the motor, fuel tanks, batteries and the individuals in the rear of the vessel, Officer1 believes the weight in the rear in combination with the slightly choppy waters and vessel operation may have been a possible cause of the incident. When speaking to Operator on June 2, 2018, he stated that at the exact time of the incident he had just had the vessel in reverse and that he stopped the vessel and that''s when the waves came over the rear. He also stated that he had moderate experience driving vessels and that his experience was near 100 hours in his lifetime.The diagram above shows the direction of travel of the vessel and exact location when it  became submerged. Photo number 8 isn''t listed due to it being unable to upload the file. The photo consisted of the KA numbers on the side of the vessel. If needed, the photo can be received from Officer1. 

** Damage listed for accident is referencing the boat and boat motor. After speaking with the owner, he stated that there was additional approximately $1000 worth of equipment inside the vessel that was loss including fishing poles, tackle, and fish finder.


BARDID: KS-2018-0008
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Unknown
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Natural Resource Officer, Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism was on patrol in Jefferson County on 06/16/2018 around 14:54 hours and I was notified by Jefferson County Dispatch that an individual was wanting to report a boating accident of which he was involved in earlier that day. I met with subject at 15:25 hours at the Lake Perry Yacht and Marina boat ramp. 
During this interview, Operator explain to me that he was riding his PWC on Perry Reservoir, just outside of Party Cove, and had pulled up next to someone else he knew. Operator stated he stopped his PWC and shortly after another PWC struck him from the rear causing him to be thrown off of his PWC. Operator explained at the time he did not think he was injured, but has adrenaline had worn off, he was having major back pain and possible signs of a concussion. Operator stated he would be going to the doctor after I acquired the information I needed from him for the report. Operator stated the PWC that struck him was driven by a 6 year old girl, who was under the supervision of her grandmother, who was also riding on the PWC that struck Operator. 

After the accident, Operator met with the PWC owner and Owner and Operator exchanged phone numbers and insurance information. Operator stated Owner was hesitant to contact authorities and report the accident. After I gathered the information and photographs needed, I left the scene. Later that evening, Operator texted me and advised the doctors advised him he had a compresison fracture on his spine and Operator would be going back the next day (Sunday) for more information. During this interview, I did not gather the direction of travel of either PWC, so I estimated the exact area and direction of travel.

I called Owner and left a voicemail on his cell phone at 17:13 hours on 06/16/2018 after I was unable to locate his boat or PWC on the water at Perry Reservior. I still have not heard back, or made contact, with Owner to get information from him and the other subject. I have no further information to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2018-0009
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Crawford-9 miles N, 1 mile E o
NearestCityorTown: Girard
County: Crawford
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
At 1630 hours on 06/03/2018, Officer, Crawford State park ranger, responded to a report of a sinking boat. The resident stated that he had seen a boat in the water 3 or 4 docks north of his home. We walked down to his dock and from there I could see three men and a half sunk boat on the shore.
Subjects told me that the boat had sunk. I went down to the dock where the boat was tied up to inspect it, and was met by the owner and the operator of the boat at the time of the incident. Subject told me that they were going down the lake when they heard a loud crack, and then water started coming into the boat from the floor. Subject told me that he was unsure of the cause of the noise and the water coming into the boat. I was looking at the boat and it did not appear that the boat was taking on any more water than was already in the boat. Subject2 went to the boat ramp to get his truck so they could get their equipment and gear picked up out of the boat and I went to put our patroll boat on the water. I was in the patrol boat and met the guys on the water and towed their boat back to the boat ramp to be loaded back onto the trailer. I towed the boat in and we got the boat loaded back onto the trailer and out of the lake. Once we got the boat onto the trailer it appeared as though a 1.5 foot by 2.5 foot section of the fiberglass hull had broken free from the underside of the boat causing the boat to take on water. I have no other information at this time.

Officer stated that looking at the boat this vessel had experienced a catastrophic hull failure resulting in the hull being breached, like the hull had been patched from an earlier damage, and the pressure on the hull may have caused the hull to fracture and the vessel taking on water. The exact reason for the hull to fail is unknown at this time.


BARDID: KS-2018-0011
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale-3 miles NW of Paolal
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Person departed vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On the 1st of July 2018 at approximately 1550 hours, I received a call from Miami county sheriff''s office about a vessel on fire on Hillsdale Lake Miami county Kansas.  
The vessel was beached on windsurfer beach, and the 4 occupants were safely located on the beach with Warden when we arrived at approximately 1600 hours.  The owner and operator of the vessel stated they were drifting and swimming on the lake near the beach area, out past the buoys, when they noticed the smell of gasoline coming out of the engine compartment.  He lifted the lid and noticed smoke coming from the engine.  He grabbed his fire extinguisher and was able to put the small fire out.  He called 911 while their vessel then drifted to the shore, where all 4 occupants, his wife and 2 boys, exited the vessel safely to shore.  

  The fire was contained to just the engine compartment due to quick response.  It was at this time he informed me he had just had the vessel worked on in a shop up in the Kansas City Area.


BARDID: KS-2018-0012
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:12:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cedar Bluff-13 miles S on K-14
NearestCityorTown: Ogallah
County: Trego
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Overloading
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Three people were riding on a jetski at Cedar Bluff Reservoir near the bluffs. Operator was the operator of the ski. Occupant2 was behind Operator and Occupant3 was behind Occupant2. They were going approximately 35-40 miles per hour when they were coming out of the river channel near the bluffs. All individuals on board were wearing Type III PFDs. After rounding the corner, all three individuals leaned to the starboard side and were ejected. Operator got back on the jetski and beached it on land. He got to land and realized he wasn’t''t feeling well and was put on another boat. 911 was called and was transported to shore where EMS put Operator in a neck brace and onto a backboard and took him to Hays Medical Center.


BARDID: KS-2018-0013
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Kanopolis-33 miles SW of Salin
NearestCityorTown: Marquette
County: Ellsworth
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Before the accident occurred Operator was pulling Subject on water skiis. When Subject was finished skiing he handed his water skiis into the boat on the starboard side. Subject then swam around to the stern of the boat where a ski deck was located. Subject attempted to get on the ski deck when his left leg made contact with the propeller while the boat was still in gear. Operator the boat operator thought he had the vessel in neutral. They loaded Subject into the boat and started applying pressure to the wounds. We were able to locate the vessel on the water so they followed us to the closest dock for medical treatment.


BARDID: KS-2018-0014
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-06-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson - 8 miles N on K-232
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
I Game Warden for KDWPT responded to the report of a boat accident in the Marshall cover area on Wilson Lake at approx. 1850 hr on 06/17/2018. When I arrived the Vessel was tied up to the courtesy dock at the east Minooka Park boat ramp and all parties involved had already left the scene. I met with Ranger and he explained what had happened. 
Witness told me that a female with blonde hair, wearing a dark green colored tank top and shorts on. Witness told me that the other two individuals that were there on had a bikini top on and a orange thong and the other had short dark hair wearing a red shirt. 
Witness then told me that they untied the vessel from dock # 29. Operator backed up and then put the boat in drive cause the vessel to strike dock #28. 
I contacted Operator by phone and she denied being the operator of the vessel at the time of the accident. She told me that she only went over to the boat ramp to help them load the boat. When asked if she would be willing to fill out a statement she denied and said " this sounds pretty serious so no i will not fill out a statement." Due to the High winds i was unable to take pictures of the vessel while it was on the was so I had subject4 send me pictures of the vessel when they removed it from the water the following day.


BARDID: KS-2018-0015
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson - 8 miles N on K-232
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/07/2018 at approximately 1700 hours, I, Game Warden for KDWPT responded to a tubing accident near Minooka Point where an individual was urinating blood after falling off a tube being towed by a boat. When I arrived victim was being loaded into an ambulance to be taken to the hospital in Russell Ks. I spoke with the owner and operator of the vessel when the accident occurred and he said they were out off of minooka point and he was turning when the tube being towed behind the vessel overturned with two people on the tube. he said that when they returned to the boat Victim was complaining of slight back pain. A short time later Victim began to have severe pain and was urinating blood. I then went to marshall Cove and found the vessell. I took all of the occupant information and completed a vessel inspection on the vessel and cleared the scene. 
He told me that she had a Lacerated Kidney and a broken rib. She was admitted to Russell regional Hospital and then transferred to Hays Regional Hospital for treatment and observation. 

Subject also told me that they believed the injuries were caused by tuber impacting Victim in the back with her body when the tube flipped over.

Nothing further at this time...


BARDID: KS-2018-0016
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Milford-5 miles NW of Junction
NearestCityorTown: Junction City
County: Geary
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel was traveling across the lake south/southeast towards Milford Marina when it struck Rush Creek Point and ran aground. The operator of the vessel turned hard to the right just prior to running aground, causing the vessel to spin 180 degrees on the shore. Vessel came to rest on the shore with its  bow facing the water towards the southwest. No injuries were reported as a result ofthis accident.


BARDID: KS-2018-0017
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was starting to two a tube with two people on board. The transom broke when Operator began to pull the tube causing the vessel to fill with water. Subject was notified of the vessel by Reno County dispatch because they had received a call about a vessel that was half way sunk. When Subject arrived onlookers had pulled the vessel to shore. Operator was at a different location trying to get help to get the boat out of the water. Operator stated he did not believe any items of value were lost.


BARDID: KS-2018-0018
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-07-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:46:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson State Fishing Lake
NearestCityorTown: Buffao
County: Wilson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was fishing with his son on Son’s boat on Wilson State Fishing Lake on the evening of July 25th, 2018.  At approximately 8:45pm, Son pulled his boat alongside the boat dock at the south boat ramp located on East Wilson Lake Road.  Victim stepped off the boat onto to the dock, as his second foot came onto the dock from the boat, he appeared to lose his balance and he reached to his right side for a post that was part of the dock.  

Victim fell into the water, almost head first, with his shoulder going into the water first.  Son after approximately 15 seconds, only saw Victim''s shoes float up, jumped into the water.   Son states Victim came to the surface, hunched over at the shoulders without any appendages above the surface and face still in the water.  Son grabbed Victim under the chin to bring his head out of the water and started to drag him to the shore by pulling himself along with the dock structure.  

At the shore two people helped get Victim onto land and started CPR.  Son stated at this time Victim was spitting up water but not forceful and he had a weak pulse.  911 was called.  Sheriff''s Deputy and Buffalo volunteer fire department arrived on scene and assisted with CPR until EMS arrived and transported Victim to Neosho Memorial Hospital in Chanute.  Victim was produced dead at the hospital.


BARDID: KS-2018-0019
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:53:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Tuttle Creek- 6 miles N of Man
NearestCityorTown: Manhattan
County: Pottawatomie
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
At time of approximately 9:45 p.m., Saturday, August 11, 2018, a boat operated by Operator was returning to rented slip at Wildcat Marina at Tuttle Creek Reservoir.  The boat struck a rock jetty at south shore at the mouth of this cove and in the immediate vicinity of this marina and boat ramp.

Speed of boat at point of contact with shore is estimated at 20 to 25 mph as determined by operators statement and hull damage.  And, determined by final resting point of this vessel.  Initial impact of vessel upon west side of rock jetty, final resting point of vessel on east side of this rock jetty.

Calm weather conditions at the time of the incident not contributing to incident, but operator stated difficulty in being able to see due to the darkness of this particular night.  Lights from the marina and boat ramp area produced a glare upon the water. Despite operators familiarity with this location, operator stated he was disoriented. Operator he was ready to slow to no wake speed as he approached the "No Wake" area associated with this area.  But, the boat travelling east, was too far south of this cove entrance, and as a result struck the rock jetty shore at south side of cove.

Injuries of all occupants are consistent with sudden change in speed a result of vessel impact with shore.
    Operator/vessel owner,  seated at steering wheel, on vessel starboard.
    Operators son, male seated adjacent from operator and on vessel port.
    Operator''s spouse, female, seated behind operator, vessel starboard.
    Friend of family, female, seated behind operator.

Yamaha 19'', model AR 192, 2014

Vessel operators blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 grams per 100 milliliters of blood is contributing cause of this accident.

All suffered injuries upon impact.


BARDID: KS-2018-0020
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale-3 miles NW of Paola
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On the 26th of August 2018 at approximately 1200 hours, I received a phone call from operator who said He was operating his vessel(KA2856AA) through the normal channel near Marysville boat ramp on Hillsdale Lake in Miami County Kansas.  He was moving northeast at approximately 20 to 25mph when the lower unit on his motor hit a tree stump.  After hitting the stump his vessel started taking on water.  I told him to tie his vessel to a tree and I would be heading his way.  

I contacted the Jayhawk Marina to request if they could assist subject and his wife.  They said yes and headed that way.  I arrived at the boat ramp at approximately 1220 hours along with Seasonal Park Ranger.  We watched as the Marina vessel towed in the vessel and assisted with getting it loaded onto the trailer.  Once out of the water we could see the lower unit was broke and hanging by the fuel and hydraulic lines.  I took several photographs of the vessel while operator tied up the lower unit.  He then transported it to his storage unit in Hillsdale.  No injuries were reported and the only damage was on the lower unit itself with a very small spot on the fiberglass next to the plug.

Nothing further at this time.


BARDID: KS-2018-0021
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-08-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale-3 miles NW of Paola
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
There was a skiing accident at Hillsdale Lake.  The incident started when victim was being towed behind his boat, Skiing.  His son was driving the vessel and his wife was also in the vessel.  victim said he was skiing and landed wrong on his right leg when going over a wave.  When he landed he felt his leg give out and was in intense pain.  

No damage was sustained to the vessel or any other person on board.

Nothing further at this time.


BARDID: KS-2018-0022
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:41:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Pomona-25 miles S of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Vassar
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, September 2, 2018 at approximately 5:43 P.M. Officer1 received a call from Officer2.  Officer2 told Officer1 that there had been a boating accident at Boat Ramp 4 at Pomona State Park.  Officer2 told Officer1 that someone had been hit by the prop.  Officer1 called Osage County by radio and said he was in enroute.  Officer1 arrived at approximately 6:04 P.M. at Boat Ramp 4 at Pomona State Park.  Officer1 observed several medical personnel, park staff and Osage county deputies on scene.  Officer1 then helped carry the victim to a ambulance.  Officer1 could see a large cut on the victims right shin.  
   Officer1 spoke to the mother who was the driver of the boat.  Operator told Officer1 that it was a new boat to them and she thought she had in neutral.  Operator was picking up two people who fell off the tube.  Operator told Officer1 that most of the time they get in the boat from the side and this time Victim went to the back of the boat where the prop pulled him cutting his right leg just below the knee.  
Officer1 asked Operator he she had been drinking she said yes.  She told Officer1 that she had about a half a beer all day.  Officer2 conducted field sobriety on her and she consented to a PBT.  The PBT results were zero''s.  Officer1 took pictures of the boat and boats contents.  Officer1 also got written statements from Operator, and two others.  Officer1 found that there was six total people in the boat.  
On Monday, September 3, 2018 Officer1 called Operator.  Operator told Officer1 that they put some stitches in Victim''s leg and released him.


BARDID: KS-2018-0024
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-10-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 06:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Tuttle Creek- 6 miles N of Man
NearestCityorTown: Blue Rapids
County: Marshall
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 10/28/2018 at approximately 6:30am I, Game Warden, received a call from the Pottawatomie County Sheriff''s Department dispatch and they informed me they had taken a 911 call informing them that an airboat had sank just north of the Black Vermillion marsh in Marshall County. The area around the Black Vermillion marsh (which is part of Tuttle Creek Resevoir) was very flooded due to Tuttle Creek Reservoir being approximately 29ft above the normal pool level. While in route and was informed by Marshall County dispatch that all the occupants on the vessel made it to shore safely and were back at their vehicle.

I arrived on scene at approximately 7:45 am with Game Warden. I made contact with operator who stated that he was the owner of the vessel and was the operator at the time the vessel sank. Operator stated that he was operating his airboat with two persons on board. Operator stated it was dark and they were traveling East in the flood waters when he realized he had missed his turn. Operator stated he began making his turn to head the right direction and failed to see his wake that his boat had created. Operator stated the wake he turned his boat into then came over the front of the vessel bringing a large amount of water into the vessel. Operator stated he tried to give the boat gas to try and drive over the rest of the wake but it was too late and the boat had filled with too much water. Operator stated the boat then went straight down and he and the passenger swam to where they could touch and then walked out.


None of the occupants of the vessel stated they had sustained any injuries. Operator stated 3 lifejackets were on the vessel but nobody was wearing them when the vessel sank.

With binoculars I could observe what appeared to be the top half of an airboat cage and two seats sticking out of the water approximately 300 yards from the waters edge.

Operator and the occupants went and got a second vessel and were able to motor out to the sunk airboat. I had one of the occupants take photos of the sunk vessel and they were able to retrieve their loose items that were floating on the surface.

Operator stated he would try and make arrangements with the KDWPT Public Lands Manager to see what their options would be on removing the vessel. The vessel was left where it was due to there being no way at the time to remove it from the floodwaters.

Nothing further.


BARDID: KS-2018-0025
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2018-11-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Sedgwick
WaterConditions: Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
MachineryFailure: Fuel
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On November 03, 2018, Vessel #1 was being operated on Cheney Reservoir in Sedgwick county, KS. While on the reservoir, the vessel''s fuel pump malfunctioned and the vessel was not able to be operated. The wind and waves pushed the vessel against the rocks on the dam. 

The operator was not able to get the vessel out of the water due to environmental and weather related factors. The operator left the vessel anchored to the dam overnight. When the operator checked on the vessel the next day, November 04, 2018, the operator found the vessel to be swamped with the back end under water and water in the main cabin of vessel. Pieces of the vessl had been ripped off. the motor unit was completely under water.


BARDID: KS-2019-0001
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-04-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:55:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232 from
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
AccidentCause2: Hull failure
OtherAccidentCause: Unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
I Game Warden for KDWPT, was dispatched to a vessel that almost sunk in Wilson Lake, which is located in Russell County, Kansas. I arrived at the middle Minooka boat ramp to find Operator standing on the boat ramp uninjured. The 1992 Skeeter boat was beached near the boat ramp on the beach and appeared to have a large amount of water in it. 

I asked Operator what had happened and he told me that he was fishing on the west end of Wilson Lake and he noticed his bilge was running a little so he decided to return to the Hell creek ramp where he launched his boat. 

While going across the lake on plane he said that all of a sudden the bow of his bow went high out of the water so he throttled down and when the boat leveled out there was water up to his ankles in the boat. he turned his boat towards shore and found the nearest spot to beach the boat. 

I went down to the Boat and took pictures and also walked out to the boat where it was about half full of water and resting on the bottom. I took several pictures of the bottom of the boat which had a hole on the starboard side of the keel on the hull at the approximate centerline of the boat.. from the hole to the stern of the boat there was a large portion of rigid fiberglass missing with various widths. near the hole was small fractures in the fiberglass indicating that at some time the fiberglass came in contact with an object. I spoke with Operator and the Diver used to recover the boat and cleared the scene.

Nothing Further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2019-0002
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-05-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Shawnee-3139 E 29th St.,
NearestCityorTown: Topeka
County: Shawnee
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was being towed on a tube behind the boat that was being operated by Operator. Victim let go of the tube because the water was striking his groin in an irritating way. Victim was pulling himself up to the boat with the rope attached to the tube. Victim stated he believed the motor was off or in neutral because the boat was not moving. He was pulling himself to the swim ladder when he felt the propeller start to pull his shorts. 

His shorts and the rope got tangled around the propeller that was still in motion resulting in his legs being cut by the propeller. Victim got his shorts untangled from the propeller and was transported to the boat ramp by the another vessel that was nearby when the accident occurred. 

The vessel being operated by Operator was disabled due to damage sustained to the lower unit. Operator said that he did not think his spotter was doing his job. Operator stated that when Victim was pulling himself up to the boat with the rope attached to the tube he had placed the boat in neutral and that it was not moving. 

Operator stated that he remembered having the throttle in the neutral position, and spoke to technicians at the boat shop about the propeller still having a free spin. Operator said he did not know the propeller was still spinning. Operator said that once Victim was free from the propeller they pulled Victim up on the boat and they transferred him to the other boat. Operator said that his boat was stranded until they removed pieces of Victim’s shorts from the prop. Operator said that once he got to shore he waited around for someone to talk to him. Victim was transported to the hospital by ambulance as soon as he arrived at the boat ramp. Operator said that the damages to his lower unit cost just under 2,000 dollars.


BARDID: KS-2019-0003
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-06-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Marion-4 miles NW of Marion of
NearestCityorTown: Hillsboro
County: Marion
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 30th, 2019 at approximately 0350 hours I (Warden) was notified by Marion County Dispatch of a fisherman was missing and that his boat had been found beached. 

I put my patrol boat on the water about 0415 with a Marion County deputy and we started searching for Operator. We located his boat that had been run aground on the north side of the lake where nighthawk road runs into the lake. 

The boat was a blue and white fiberglass ranger. The water was about seven-foot high and the boat was held in place by some trees. The GPS units on the boat were still lit up at this time. The kicker trolling motor throttle was forward and the boat was in the run position. There was nobody around the boat, so we started patrolling the shoreline looking for Operator. Operator was believed to be the only one occupying the boat the day before. 

We looked for Operator until daylight. Once the sun came up, we retrieved the boat and towed it to the Marion cove boat dock. At the dock I took pictures of the boat and took the boats information. There was no damage to the boat.  At this time, I also did a vessel inspection and found that there were no accessible life jackets on Operators boat.  I also seized the GPS unit off the boat. At this time family and friends of Operator''s started to show up with boats to help look. 

One of Operators fishing partners let us use the power source off his boat to hook up Operators GPS device because Operators batteries were dead on his boat. This is where we found the track Operator took the day prior while fishing (track shown above). 

Operator also sent a video to his fishing partners the day before showing how he can set his GPS and motors to troll a straight line, hands free. The straight north and south track Operator took on the image above, is directly over the old nighthawk roadbed that runs through the lake. This roadbed is a hotspot for fishermen and Operator was known to fish it. His partner then informed us that they never fish north of the river channel on the road bed. 

This gave us a block to start looking for Operator along that line. We knew he made the last turn northbound and never corrected anything past that so he was between the last turn north and the river channel. The GPS on Operators boat also provided us that the incident had to have happened between 1400 and 1600 Saturday June 29, 2019. 

The boat was moving at 2 MPH at those times being driven by electronics.  Multiple agency boats ran side scan, not finding anything on the search area until July 1, 2019 around 0900 Operators body ended up floating to the surface and was found by some fishermen. Operator was only wearing underwear at the time. We retrieved the body approximately in the same location shown above just to the right of Operators last boat track. At this point we took the body to the Marion County Coroner at Hillsboro cove and released the body to her. I asked for a toxicology report with the autopsy. The body was then transported to Frontier Forensics In Kansas City for the autopsy. 

I received the autopsy results back on august 30 2019. Operators cause of death was drowning. A sample of 51mg/100g of Ethanol (alcohol) was taken from Operators liver tissue for the toxicology report. No alcohol was found on Operators boat.


BARDID: KS-2019-0004
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-06-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Banner Creek Reservoir-1 mile
NearestCityorTown: Holton
County: Jackson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On said date and time, boats that were being operated by Operator1 and Operator2 collided on Banner Creek Lake.  At the time of the collision, Operator1 in boat A had 4 people including himself in his boat. Two people were seated in the front of the boat facing towards the back of the boat and another in the passenger seat to the left of the driver Operator1. Three others were being pulled on a tube behind the boat.  

At the time of the collision, Operator2 in boat B had 2 people in his boat including himself.  V2 subject1 was seated in the passenger seat to the left of Operator2 and was facing towards the back of the boat.  Two other people were on a tube behind the boat.  Operator1''s boat sustained damage to its front keel at the bow eye.  Operator2''s boat sustained damage to the stern of the boat on the starboard side.  Both boats sustained approx. $2000.000 each.  

Victim was on the tube behind Operator2''s boat and was struck by Operator1''s boat.  S. Operator2 complained about a sore neck and back and was evaluated and released at the scene by Jackson County EMS.

     When I arrived at Banner Creek Lake, V2 subject1 told me that her boyfriend''s (Operator2) boat and another boat had collided on Banner Creek Lake.  V2 SUBJECT1 said OPERATOR2 had already left the lake with his boat and went back home.  V2 SUBJECT1 said the other boat was still on Banner Creek Lake and wouldn''t cooperate with them in reporting the collision.  V2 SUBJECT1 also said no one was injured in their boat.  I then told V2 SUBJECT1 to call OPERATOR2 and have him return to the lake with his boat so I could complete a boat accident report.  

The operator of the boat said they got on the water just before the collision happened and he wasn''t going to report the accident until they were finished tubing that day.  I then told the operator of the boat to follow me back to the boat ramp so I could complete an accident report. 

     The driver of the boat was identified as Operator1.  OPERATOR1 said no one was injured in his boat.   OPERATOR1 said he wasn''t sure what direction his boat was going or where the other boat came from when they collided.  Warden who also responded to Banner Creek Lake told me he had EMS in route to the lake to check out a girl who was being pulled on a tube behind OPERATOR2''s boat because now her neck and back were hurting and that OPERATOR2 had arrived with the other boat.  

I then told OPERATOR1 to remove his boat from the water so I could better photograph his boat.  I then talked with OPERATOR2.  OPERATOR2 said his and the other boat were both pulling a tube and heading in an easterly direction with OPERATOR1''s boat just ahead and to the right of his boat.  

OPERATOR2 said OPERATOR1 then turned his boat to the left and started heading towards his boat.  OPERATOR2 said OPERATOR1 was looking back at his tube and wasn''t paying attention to where he was turning.  

OPERATOR2 then turned his boat to the left to try to avoid a collision but was struck by OPERATOR1''s boat near the rear starboard side (see photos).  OPERATOR2 said OPERATOR1''s boat then crossed over the rope that was tied to the tube he was pulling cutting the rope within feet of the tube and caused the tube and the two passengers...


BARDID: KS-2019-0005
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-07-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Fall River-56 miles E of Wichi
NearestCityorTown: Fall River
County: Greenwood
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 20th, 2019 at approximately 5:45 p.m., I, Game Warden, received a call from Greenwood County Sheriff''s Office Sergeant stating a boat accident had happened on Fall River.  I told Sergeant I would put a uniform on be enroute.  Upon leaving my house I asked Sergeant for more information of what had taken place.  He stated that a boat had hit the bridge on 70th Street and that the occupants were now standing on the bridge.  Sgt told me he planned to approach their location from the West on 70th Street.  When Sgt got to that area, he found out that there was a large amount of flood debris blocking the road to the bridge and he could not get to that location.  At this time the Eureka Fire rescue boat was requested to respond.  Park Ranger was attempting to make it to the East side of the bridge on 70th Street at this time, also.  I proceeded to head to the location of my patrol boat near the dam at Fall River lake.

Upon retrieving my boat, I arrived at the Quarry Bay campground East of the Fall River Lake dam.  At this location responding parties were meeting and setting up a response.  I launched my boat off a flooded roadway in the park.  Upon launching the boat, I had to navigate through an area of partially submerged trees to access open water.  I transported Paramedic and US Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Lake to the location of the incident approximately seven miles upstream on Fall River.  At approximately 7:00 p.m. we arrived on the scene of the incident.  

We determined all four occupants were accounted for and two of which had injuries.  A middle-aged female later identified as was in a great deal of pain and believed her hip was broken.  The other injured party was the driver of the vessel, and had a laceration on the top of his head.  Paramedic determined Victim2 needed to be air lifted for treatment due to the possible injuries and previous medical history.  Paramedic got into the water to begin treatment on Victim2.  Paramedic placed Victim2 in a C collar and we lifted her into the boat using life jackets as a lifting device.  Upon getting Victim2 in the boat, Paramedic began to treat her and prepare her for transportation to the landing zone.  At this time, a volunteer firefighter had walked through the flood water to our location and he was given medical supplies to treat laceration.

Once Victim2 was ready for transportation, I explained to her son, that we only had room in the boat to transport her safely.  I told him that we had other boats in route, and we would be back to pick everyone else up.  Upon leaving the site of the accident I missed the channel on the river.  I was going approximately 15 MPH when I felt the scag of the boat motor begin to drag. I backed the throttle off and my boat became lodged on a submerged mudflat.  Corp Ranger and I got the boat off the mudflat and we proceeded to the helicopter.  We arrived at shore at approximately 7:38 p.m.  

Upon arriving at shore medical personnel got Victim2 loaded into the ambulance and prepared for takeoff.

The vessel hit a bridge at half-throttle, which caused everyone but the operator to be ejected.  The bow was resting on the submerged roadbed of a bridge and the stern was on a submerged bridge guardrail.  There was no depthfinder or GPS on the vessel.  The operator had had three beers once they got out on the water.


BARDID: KS-2019-0006
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-04-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232 from
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On April 18, 2019 I Game Warden for KDWPT was notified at approximately 1720 hours of a boat that was floating near the west Minooka boat ramp. I arrived at approximately 1740 hours and found a swamped Champion bass boat near the boat ramp with no occupants around the vessel and no vehicles in the parking lot. 

As operator was loading his boat a wave came over the rear of the vessel and swamped the vessel. He told me that the waves swept his vessel off the trailer and into the rocks where it was when i found it. He notified me later that evening and said that he had gotten the vessel out of the water.


BARDID: KS-2019-0007
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-07-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Crawford State Fishing Lake
NearestCityorTown: Girard
County: Crawford
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
07/28/2019 Officer was radioed from the gate house at Crawford State Park (CRSP) that a report had come in of a possible boat accident, and that 3 kids were thrown from a tube onto the shoreline. The reporting party (RP) stated that the kids were back in the boat, and the boat was headed South. 

Officer went to the end of the point on 54-69 Lane on W Lake road to locate the boat. The boat was located in the middle of the lake, directly off the point, headed towards the dock at the group use are located at 42 S Lake rd. Officer observed an individual driving the boat to the dock and then get out to tie it off. 

Officer also observed 3 young girls in the boat, one of which appeared to be in distress. Officer radioed to county and said that he would be 10-8 in route to the group use area. Upon arriving at the group use area, there were 2 individuals at the top of the stairs to the dock that were in distress and stating that they wanted an ambulance there. 

Officer stated that he knew that Operator was the individual driving the boat and that after the girls were taken care of, that he would need to blow in a PBT. Operator was very cooperative and did not move from this location until after all 3 girls were on their way to the hospital. 

The 3 girls later all had head trauma. Tuber1 had a large knot on her head and was stating that she couldn't see anything, everything was black. Tuber2 was confused and unable to speak, but was able to see and physically respond. Tuber3 had small laceration on the right side of her head, and the right side of her leg and was unable to put any weight on her right foot. 

At 19:27 Officer had Operator sit in his patrol vehicle in the AC and begin the mandatory 15 minute decompression period. At 19:45 Officer read Operator implied consent, ran Operator through Standardized Field Sobriety Testing, and then had Operator blow into a PBT. The PBT result was .102. At that time Officer place Operator under arrest for BUI. At 20:08 Officer went 10-15 in to the jail where he had Operator blow on the intoxilizer 9000. Results on the Intoxilizer 9000 were .091 at 20:48


BARDID: KS-2019-0008
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-07-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:45:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232 from
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Weather
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/30/2019 at aprox 1645 hours I, Game Warden for KDWPT was notified by Russell County Dispatch of a missing Kayaker on Wilson Lake near Minooka Point. I responded to the area where I found a pontoon located at the center boat ramp. This vessel was occupied by several people. They told me that a friend of theirs was kayaking with them. They had drifted across the lake from the middle Minooka ramp to the north side of the lake. 
When they returned Victim got out in front of them. The female and child flipped their kayak and Subject returned to help them. By the time Subject found the paddle and got the female''s kayak empty of water they could no longer see Victim. They said they thought he made it across. A short while later a pontoon came over to them pulling Victim''s kayak and they got on board the pontoon. After searching for awhile they returned to the center Minooka ramp and called 911. I left the boat ramp and got on my patrol boat. I searched the immediate area finding nothing of interest. A short while later the pontoon operator showed us the approximate location of where he thought they found the kayak. I marked that spot with a waypoint on my GPS along with a marker buoy. 
At this point myself and the USACE boat made a plan to begin grid searching using side scan sonar. a little while later a shore search party found what were to be believed as Victim''s shoes and the paddle for the kayak, along with a piece of flotation Styrofoam from inside the kayak. Efforts with side scan sonar resumed until approx 2300 hours that night.  For the next 2 days (July 31 and Aug 1) search efforts were put forth using 3 Boats equipped with side scan sonar, drones, planes, and a diver. there were also people on shore searching.
 On the morning of August 2 at approximately 0845 hours a body believed to be Victim was found floating near Duvall Cove which is approximately 2 miles west of the search area. the Body was recovered and transported to the Lucas Park Boat Ramp, where the coroner pronounced the body dead at 0915. The Russell County Sheriff''s office took custody of the body and it was transported for an autopsy for cause of death, Identification and toxicology.

The victim had been drinking.  Water conditions were rough and winds strong.


BARDID: KS-2019-0009
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-09-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:35:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson-8 miles N on K-232 from
NearestCityorTown: Sylvan Grove
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 1, 2019 at approximately 1835 hours I Game Warden for KDWPT was dispatched to an injury boat accident near the swim beach in Otoe State Park at Wilson lake. I was told by operator of the vessel, that he and his family and friends were driving east towards the shore when he slowed the vessel. This cause the three occupants of the tube that was being pulled to fall off. 

Operator1 turned the vessel sharp to pick those individuals up and said that he could not see well due to the glare on the water. The vessel struck Operator1''s Daughter, In the leg with the propeller of the outboard motor. 

Operator1 submitted to a PBT and he blew .000 at 1858 hours. I completed a vessel safety check and the boat was equipped with all safety equipment. I left the scene and went to Russell Regional Hospital. She told me that there were 2 severe lacerations on her right inner thigh that were stitched up. After a short interview I cleared the hospital.


BARDID: KS-2019-0010
State: KS
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2019-08-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:59:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Milford-5 miles NW of Junction
NearestCityorTown: Junction City
County: Geary
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject stated they were cruising east at approximately 25 mph when he heard a "pop" sound come from the bottom of the vessel. Subject stated they were approximately 200 yards from the nearest shoreline. 

Subject stated water began coming through the floor in the stern section of the vessel. Subject stated he attempted to drive the vessel towards Milford point in hopes of beaching the vessel on the shoreline. Subject stated vessel continued to take on water and began to sink. 

Subject stated he lost all steering and then the engine died completely. Both subjects exited the vessel and entered the water wearing their personal flotation devices. 

The vessel sank stern first and became suspended vertically before completely sinking. The two uninjured subjects began swimming towards the shoreline. Both subjects were picked up by emergency personnel and brought back to the boat ramp. The vessel remains on the bottom of Milford Reservoir at this time.


BARDID: KS-2019-0011
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-09-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Winfield City Lake-10 miles NE
NearestCityorTown: Winfield
County: Cowley
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On 09/02/2019, at approximately 1300 hrs GW was contacted and advised about  a boat accident that occurred on Winfield City Lake.  GW arrived at Winfield City Lake at approximately 1357 hrs and met with KHP trooper and Cowley County Deputy.  GW was advised that the operator, Operator, was transported to Wesley Hospital for a leg injury.  GW met with a witness the accident.  

Witness advised that Operator was headed west on the north side of the lake behind his boat approximately 75ft when he jumped a wave and landed in the water and began screaming.  Witness advised they went and helped Operator out of the water and took him to shore.  They took Operator to shore on the North side of the lake near the swim beach.  GW checked the vessel involved and found the vessel was registered in another persons name.  GW found that all other required safety equipment was good.  GW had Witness fill out a statement of what happened for his report.  Witness advised that Operator had not been drinking to his knowledge.  

On 09/06/2019, at approximately 0840 hrs, GW spoke with the injured boat Operator on the phone while he was at REHAB.  Operator advised that he broke his left femur and was now in rehab for unknown period of time.  Operator advised they put a rod in his leg with 4 pins.  Operator advised that he bought the boat about a month ago, and was told he could operate under the current registration until it expired.  GW advised Operator that was incorrect.  Operator advised that he had less than a year of experience of operating any type of boats.  Operator advised that he was jumping a wave and when he came down he landed on something hard.  He advised he started feeling the pain immediately and began screaming.


BARDID: KS-2019-0012
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-08-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Mount Hope
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was riding his friends jet ski when he hit a wake in the water. He attempted to bail off the jet ski and the pwc hit is foot, and thus broke his ankle. A vessel passing by found him in the water next to the jet ski and took him to the dock to seek medical attention.


BARDID: KS-2019-0014
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2019-09-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:05:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Melvern-35 miles S of Topeka o
NearestCityorTown: Arvonia
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator had been fishing by trolling on Melvern Reservoir. Operator was using the trolling motor at the front of his boat to fish up the mouth of the river. Operator stated he turned around and saw water rushing out of the battery compartment of his boat, and when he took a step near the back of the boat water came over the stern of the boat causing it to capsize. 

Operator attached himself to a nearby tree until he was rescued by another fisherman and taken to the dock. Personnel from the marina removed the vessel from the water. On the trailer at the boat ramp water began to drain from several cracks on the transom around the mounting bracket of the motor and transducer.


BARDID: KS-2020-0001
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-01-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Farm Pond
NearestCityorTown: Russell
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On January 4. 2020 at 1506 hours, I heard a report of an individual who had fallen through the ice on a farm pond and had not surfaced near the intersection of 183rd ST and 4 Corners Rd. I responded and arrived at approximately 1525 hours. when I arrived EMS was administering CPR to the victim. Victim was transported via ambulance to Russell Regional Hospital. I assessed the scene and could see a bucket, tackle box and what appeared to be the bottom of a small boat approximately 30 yards from the end of the pontoon boat that appeared to be used as a dock.

At the Hospital Deputy and I spoke with subject1 who witnessed this incident and was also in the boat. Subject1 told us that they were out in Victim''s small boat fishing a brush pile that was under the ice. Victim stood up and turned around to sit on a bucket and the boat rolled over. Subject1 said that they both made it back to the boat and then he swam for shore. When Subject1 got back to the dock he looked around for something to throw to Victim. When he could not locate anything Subject1 went up the hill and called 911.

I returned to the pond and gathered pictures and retrieved the boat and other debris floating in the water.

Nothing further to report.


BARDID: KS-2020-0002
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-03-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:36:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Glen Elder-12 miles W of Beloi
NearestCityorTown: Glen Elder
County: Mitchell
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On March 31, 2020 at 5:52 PM Mitchell County Dispatch was notified by Republic County Dispatch that fisherman reported an overturned kayak in Osage Cove on Glen Elder Reservoir.  Subject advised there was a truck with KS registration that was parked on the East side of Osage Cove.  Mitchell County Deputy was dispatched to the scene at 5:56 PM and arrived on scene at 6:17 PM.  The deputy found a green kayak overturned on the north side of Osage Cove.  A gray in color Chevrolet Silverado was located on the East shore of Osage Cove. 

The party at the residence stated that the owner of the vehicle left around 3:00 PM from the residence to go fishing at the lake.  

Game Warden arrived on scene at 7:00 PM.  Warden spoke with a witness at the Osage boat ramp at 7:02 PM.   The witness stated that they observed an individual in a kayak across the cove. They stated they  thought the guy was fishing and he was just a little ways out from the vehicle that was parked on the East Shore. The witness stated  he made a phone call while he was at the dock, so he knew it was at 5:26 PM when he observed the kayaker.

The victim was located approximately 10 yards from shore in 6-8 feet of water.  The victim''s body was recovered from the water at 8:43 PM.   The victim''s body was turned over to the Sheriff''s office.  The Game Wardens  took the boat off the water at 8:57PM.  The Game Wardens left the scene and put away equipment.


BARDID: KS-2020-0003
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-03-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Leavenworth- 3 miles W, 1 mile
NearestCityorTown: Tonganoxie
County: Leavenworth
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject along with 4 others were operating separate kayaks when one kayak flipped over due to high wind and waves, causing the operator to swim to shore in heavy waves and cold water. A camper pulled the subject onto the shore and a 911 call was placed. The operator was lifeflighted to Kansas University Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas. Subject was released several days later from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery.


BARDID: KS-2020-0004
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-04-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake View Lake
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On Tuesday, April 28th, 2020 at approximately 1600 hours, I, Game Warden and my Field Training Officer Game Warden responded to a missing person on a boat call. We first contacted the reporting person and they told us what happened. We went to the east side of Lake View Lake and discovered a jon boat that was partially underwater. 

Game Warden and I drove to Clinton State Park to get the patrol boat. Once arriving back at the scene, we launched the boat and marked where the swamped boat was first discovered and began attempting to find the potential drowning victim. 

Game Warden arrived with another patrol boat equipped with sonar imaging and we began trying to locate the potential drowning victim. Once located what we thought to be the drowning victim, we marked the spot with a yellow buoy because it was getting dark and so we could find it with ease the next morning. 

The next morning, we continued our search and recovered the drowning victim. The body was sent to Frontier Forensics Midwest located at 40 South 18th St. Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. I received the Autopsy Report on Tuesday, June 9th, 2020 and it stated that the drowning victim''s Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) was .164 and Delta 9 THC was 1.4 ng//mL. According to Medical Examiner, it was determined victim died due to an accidental drowning.


BARDID: KS-2020-0005
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-04-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Milford-5 miles NW of Junction
NearestCityorTown: Milford
County: Geary
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Weather
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject was attempting to load his vessel onto the trailer at the state park marina boat ramp. The wind was blowing into the ramp at over twenty-five miles per hour. The vessel approached the trailer, however the wind pushed the vessel onto the trailer''s left fenders. 

The vessel was pushed over the fender and ended up grounded against the shoreline. Due to high winds and the waves the vessel''s owner was unable to get the vessel away from the shoreline. The vessel received damage to the lower unit on the motor and in several places along the port side and bottom of the boat due to repeatedly striking the rocks.


BARDID: KS-2020-0006
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-05-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:07:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Tuttle Creek- 6 miles N of Man
NearestCityorTown: Randolph
County: Riley
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 2, 2020 at approximately 1432 hours I received a report of a possible drowning at Tuttle Creek Reservoir near the ORV Park. I responded to that location and arrived at approximately 1500 hours. I made contact with Riley County Police Department personnel who were on scene prior to my arrival. It was learned that two subjects in kayaks paddled east out into the main body of the lake and only one returned back to shore. Myself and Riley County Officers conducted interviews with individuals who were on scene when the incident occurred.  

On May 2, 2020 at approximately 1300 hours Subject1 and Operator were paddling across Tuttle Creek Reservoir in individual kayaks. Subjects departed the shoreline near Tuttle Creek ORV park and paddled east towards the opposite shoreline. Subject1 stated he was a little past halfway across the lake when he noticed Operator was no longer behind him. Subject1 stated he thought Operator had turned back so he did not think anything of it and continued across the lake. Once Subject1 reached the east shoreline, he called his friends who remained on the west shoreline, and that is when he discovered Operator had not returned to shore. Subject1 then paddled back across the lake but was unable to locate Operator. Riley county dispatch received the 911 call at 1407 hours. 

Subject2 was part of the group who were located on the west shoreline. Subject2 stated he witnessed both Subject1 and Operator reach approximately halfway across the lake. Subject2 stated he was no longer able to see the subjects clearly at that point, however they both appeared to be proceeding as planned across the lake. Ten to fifteen minutes later Subject2 noticed the teal green kayak operator was using appeared to be several hundred yards off course and possibly overturned. The subjects on shore tried to keep track of the kayak as it floated into a cove to the south until emergency personnel arrived on scene.

Subject3 stated he had seen the empty kayak floating towards the cove to the south of his position. Subject3 decided to walk to the cove and located the kayak Operator was using, along with a pair of flip flops that belonged to Operator. The kayak was floating upside-down in the water. Subject3 stated the flip flops were located approximately ten feet from the kayak. Subject3 pulled the kayak out of the water and left it on the shore in the cove. 

At approximately 2030 hours Operator was found deceased and was recovered from the water. Operator was transported to the Fancy Creek boat ramp. Operator was recovered wearing riding pants, no shirt, and no PFD. The coroner arrived and pronounced time of death at 2200 hours. The coroner took a toxicology sample; however, an autopsy was not requested. 

On May 2, 2020 Riley county officers and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers rangers removed the kayak from the scene. On May 12, 2020 I took possession of the kayak and secured it as evidence. I observed the kayak to be a teal in color SunDolphin Aruba 10. This kayak model is 115 inches in length and 29 inches wide with a weight capacity of 250 pounds. I observed no visible damage to the kayak''s hull that would result in vessel failure.


BARDID: KS-2020-0007
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-05-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Blue River
NearestCityorTown: Overland Park
County: Johnson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Dam/lock
AccidentCause2: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On May 30, 2020 I, Kansas Game Warden met with Kayaker #2, who witnessed kayaker #1 being involved in a boating accident and disappearance under water.  We met at the location of the said boating accident and drowning which is near the intersection of W 151st Street and Kenneth Road, Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas.

Kayaker #2 stated, on May 29, 2020 at approximately 1800 hours kayaker #1 and kayaker #2 were kayaking downstream on the Blue River located within Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas.  Both kayakers were paddling individual sit-in style kayaks. They paddled and landed onto the north side of a rock, low-water crossing made by a construction company.  The company is currently building a bridge that will connect Kenneth Road, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri to West 151st Street, Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas.  The property north of the low water crossing, which the Blue River flows through is private property owned by Loch Lloyd North LLC.  

Kayaker #2 stated to me that Kayaker #1 and Kayaker #2 did not ask permission from anyone with Loch Lloyd North LLC to access or paddle the river. They planned to portage over the low water crossing and to continue paddling further downstream on the Blue River into Missouri.

Kayaker #2 had lifted himself out of his kayak and was preparing to help kayaker #1. However, as kayaker #1 was trying to lift himself out of the cockpit, he was unable to steady the kayak and it capsized.  

Kayaker #1 came out of the cockpit and went with the current flow into a large culvert that was underneath the surface of the water.  Kayaker #1 was able to grab hold of a kayak paddle extended to him by kayaker #2.  

While holding the paddle, Kayaker #1 would go under the water and then return for air several times until he told Kayaker #2 to call for help.  Kayaker #2 immediately contacted 911.  Kayaker #2 said Kayaker #1 went into the culvert and he did not see him come up to the surface on the other side of the culvert.  Kayaker #2 stated Kayaker #1 and he had PFDs with them, but did NOT wear them during the incident.

Law enforcement agencies from Johnson County, Kansas, Sheriff''s Office, Overland Park Police Department, and Leawood Police Department responded to the scene for search and rescue.  Kayaker #1''s body was recovered and pronounced dead at 1850 hours approximately 100 feet downstream of the low water crossing next to a sandbar located on property owned by Jackson County Parks Department, Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri.


The upstream entrance of the culvert was identified by global positioning system (GPS) as being within the state of Kansas while the downstream culvert exit is located in the state of Missouri. Overland Park PD determined the drowning occurred on Missouri side and the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department completed the death investigation.

I made contact by phone with the Loch Lloyd security supervisor, and he said that Kayaker #1 or Kayaker #2 did not ask permission to access their property.


BARDID: KS-2020-0008
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-06-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Paola City Lake
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/09/2020 at approximately 10:00 a.m., I received a phone call from lieutenant with the Paola Police Department. He informed me that there was an injury boat accident at the Paola City Lake on 06/06/2020 at approximately 6:00 p.m.  The Paola Police Department identified the operator of the vessel.

At approximately 4:45 p.m. I arrived at 21702 S. Cedar Niles Road to conduct an interview.  Upon speaking with Operator, I was informed that Operator was operating the boat south bound along the west shore on Lake Miola in Paola Kansas. 

They operator and several juveniles were heading to the dock to go eat dinner. After pulling up the anchor it was covered in mud and it was placed on the bow of the vessel and the rope was placed in the vessel. The juveniles were all sitting in the bow seating. 

As the vessel was getting up on plane Operator observed the wake of a past vessel, he explained that as he approached the first set of wakes he throttled back, accelerated in between the wakes slightly and then throttled back again as he reached the second set of wakes. 

He then stated that as he was reaching the other side of the wakes he began to throttle up. At that moment he stated that the victim was violently removed from the starboard side of the vessel and that anchor had fallen off the bow of the boat. 

Although it is unknown was exactly caused the accident, Operator believes that the boy must have become entangled in the anchor rope and after the anchor fell off the boat the boy was then drug into the water across the top of the boat. It is unknown what actually cause the laceration on the victim''s wrist.

End of Report


BARDID: KS-2020-0009
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-06-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:55:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Glen Elder-12 miles W of Beloi
NearestCityorTown: Glen Elder
County: Mitchell
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Weather
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 attempted to enter its Glen Elder Marina boat slip as a storm approached from the Northwest causing increasing crosswinds. Vessel 1''s first attempt to enter the slip struck the far side pillar of its slip with the front of the vessel. 

The wind then blew vessel 1 sideways towards the south slips. The operator of vessel 1 then over corrected and accelerated causing vessel 1 to side swipe vessel 3 and strike vessel 2 in the midsection of the lower unit of vessel 2''s engine. Vessel 1 then backed away from vessel''s 2 and 3 and entered vessel 1''s slip to the north.


BARDID: KS-2020-0010
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-05-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1, traveling approximately 32 or 33 mph, made a sharp turn to port, then to starboard, in a zigzag-like manner. 

While doing so, victim 1 involuntarily fell out of her seat, and her head impacted with an onboard sink on the port side, aft of the cabin and steering console. Victim 1 sustained injuries to her head, nose, neck, upper arm, finger, knee and toe, and was subsequently transported, via personal vehicle, to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS.


BARDID: KS-2020-0011
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-06-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale-3 miles NW of Paola
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/23/2020, at approximately 1700, two people were approaching a tree on Hillsdale lake to tie off and start fishing. As Victim was reaching out to the tree to tie off he fell overboard, he was not wearing a PFD. He resurfaced a short time after entering the water and his wife threw him a rope that was intended for tieing off to the dock and was too short. Victim was not able to reach the rope so she grabbed a life jacket, as she turned around to throw it to him she saw Victim disappear beneath the water. Victim never resurfaced and his body was later recovered on 06/24/2020 at approximately 1200.


BARDID: KS-2020-0012
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-06-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton-5 miles S of Lawrence
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Equipment failure
AccidentCause2: Excessive speed
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
EquipmentFailure: Auxiliary
OtherEquipmentFailure: Bilge pump
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 28th, 2020, at approximately 18:33 hrs, game warden received a call about a capsized vessel on Clinton Lake. The occupants of the vessel were safely on shore with no injuries but the vessel was floating upside down, loose in the lake. Warden responded to Clinton lake and met LT game warden there. The wardens arrived at approximately 19:20 hrs, and deployed their patrol boat. LT contacted the park ranger on duty and was told the accident occurred just off the dam, the North end of the dam.

 The wardens found the vessel floating upside down near the scene of the accident. The boat was upside down with just the bottom of the hull sticking above the water. The vessel was in about 4-5 feet of water and seemed to be hung up on something as it was very windy but the vessel was not moving, Warden tied a rope onto the exposed d ring on the underside of the bow. A park ranger tied a rope around the motor, and then both ropes were fastened to the game warden''s boat cleats to secure the capsized vessel alongside the game warden vessel. 

The game wardens then slowly motored towards the nearest boat ramp and were able to get the capsized vessel free of whatever was holding it there. As the wardens were motoring towards the boat ramp they lost power. Inspection of their prop showed a blanket and an anchor rope wrapped around it. 

The park rangers helped to clear the debris and recovered the capsized vessel''s anchor, also explaining what was holding it in place. The wardens managed to get the capsized vessel back to the ramp. Warden spoke to the operator of the vessel and asked what happened. 

He said that he had just anchored and started to fish when another boat sped by at full speed within about 40-50 feet of his boat. Operator said the wake of this other boat crashed over his boat and started to swamp it. Operator said he looked in the bilge area and it was already full of water and the bilge pump was not working. Operator said that the bilge pump had just been worked on. Operator also said he had thought the boat may have been taking on water from the very start from launching it but did not check.

 Operator said the boat quickly swamped and started to sink. Operator and his wife jumped off the boat and were rescued from the water by a nearby boat KA 181PT. Operator was not able to provide any description of the boat that ped by other than it was not a fishing boat but probably a ski/pleasure boat, and they did not stop or slow down or offer assistance. Attempts to flip the boat over at the ramp were unsuccessful so a tow truck was called. The tow truck was able to flip he boat but considerable damage was done to the boat''s motor and interior. The boat was assisted back onto its trailer by the tow truck and the plug was removed to drain the water. The water was drained and then the boat was able to be fully put back on its trailer. Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2020-0013
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Horton Mission Lake-Horton
NearestCityorTown: Horton
County: Brown
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/04/2020 at approximately 20:30 operator was operating his VIP boat on Mission Lake Horton.  Operator had his daughter with him and Subject2 which was another family member.  Subject1 and Subject2 were both observers while Operator was pulling his wife and her friend on a tube.  The observers had a skier down flag ready in case Tuber1 and Tuber2 were to fall off the tube.  

According to Operator, They were all ready to go watch the firework show so they were heading back to the north cove. Operator was ready to stop pulling Tuber2 and Tuber1 on the tube so he was slowing down and began turning to the northwest.  At this time, Operator slowed down and changed direction which caused the tube to increase speed going northeast. 

 With the increase in speed of the tube, The tube hit a wake already created by the boat and caused the tube to go airborne.  Both Tuber1 and Tuber2 fell off the tube and then hit the water falling from the air at a high rate of speed.  The impact of the fall caused Tuber2 and Tuber1 to have neck pain and the Brown County EMS was then notified.  Tuber2 and Tuber1 were then transported to the Hiawatha Community Hospital.  While at the Hospital they were looked at for their possible neck injuries that occurred on Mission Lake.  Tuber1 and Tuber2 were released from the Hospital shortly after with minor injuries and told that they might experience some soreness.  Brown County Sheriffs Office was first on scene to help collect information in regards to the boat occupants and injured occupants. END OF REPORT.


BARDID: KS-2020-0014
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-05-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:53:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Kingman
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Weather
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 5/10/20, Subject launched his 16'' infinity boat at the kingman county boat ramp on the west side of the cheney reservoir dam. Operator had purchased the boat on 5/9/20. Operator said that after he launched the boat he headed east on the lake to see how it would perform. 

As operator turned south to turn back toward the boat ramp, a wave came over the stern of the boat, filling it partially with water. A second wave came and swamped the boat and the boat proceeded to sink. At this time operator girlfriend, who was on shore at the boat ramp, called 911. Cheney park rangers and ems were dispatched to the location. Operator was able to grab his life jacket and put it on before he made the 100 yard swim to shore. 

Ems arrived on the scene as well as park ranger. They advised dispatch that operator was swimming back to shore. Upon arrival to shore, ems checked operator and he was uninjured. I arrived on scene with the patrol boat at this time and received the above information.s


BARDID: KS-2020-0017
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-07-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Melvern-35 miles S of Topeka o
NearestCityorTown: Lyndon
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Owner told Officer that they had been fishing for awhile when him and the female on the boat noticed their feet started getting wet.  Owner told Officer that they were over by the Melvern Lake dam when they noticed the water.  Owner looked in a back compartment and notice a lot of water.  Owner tried to get the boat back to the boat ramp before the boat sank.   

He told Officer unfortunately he did not make it to the boat ramp before the motor died on boat not too far from the Eisenhower East boat ramp.  Owner said a big Cabin Cruiser boat came really close to them and finished swamping the boat.  They both put PFD''s on and got off the boat.  Owner told Officer that a passer by boat picked them up and brought them to the east boat ramp at Eisenhower State Park.


BARDID: KS-2020-0018
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-06-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:13:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Harvey County East Lake-7 mile
NearestCityorTown: Newton
County: Harvey
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 6/24/2020, at approximately 12:13 hours, a report of a boat on fire at Harvey County East Lake, N East Lake Road, was dispatched to Harvey County Sheriff''s office. HV county officer responded to the Bluestem Park area near Catfish Point. A boat was in the water fully engulfed in flames, still floating in the water near the beach. Officer1 observed a juvenile male, Subject, sitting in the driver''s seat of a vehicle on shore. Subject was in the boat at the time of the fire and had severe burns on his right leg , from knee to foot. Officer1 photographed burns. Newton Fire and EMS then loaded Subject into ambulance and transported him to the burn unit at Saint Francis Medical Center in Wichita, KS. 

Officer1 spoke to Subject1 who explained his fiance, Subject, one other, and himself were on a boat owned by subject4. Subject1 was performing mechanical work on the boat for Subject4. Subject1 had taken the boat out on the water and the motor continually would shut off randomly. Subject1 stated the boat had shut off and he tried to start the boat engine back up, the entire engine exploded and caught fire, sending shrapnel from the motor, as well as any objects near it. Subject1 explained the boat became quickly engulfed in flames, forcing the four passengers to evacuate the boat into the water. Subject sustained severe burns to his right leg. 

Subject1 was operating a 1987 Cobalt with an inboard motor. Kansas registration, which was expired as of 06/02/2019. The boat was not equipped with a blower system to help ventilate any volatile fumes from the engine compartment, nor a spark arrester to reduce any potential flames as a result of an engine back-fire. Subject1 stated there were not any personal flotation devices on board. There was no evidence of impairment. 

The boat owner, Subject4, stated he purchased the vessel for $200.00 , but had several other hundreds of dollars invested in it. Subject4 believed the monetary loss for the boat to be $1000.00.

Officer1 filed a report and charges for operating a vessel without required safety equipment and operating a vessel without personal flotation devices to the Harvey county attorneys office.

A copy of the report was given to Game Warden. 

End of Report


BARDID: KS-2020-0020
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-07-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney-20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/25/2020 at 19:15, subject was sailing his sailboat he just purchased on cheney reservoir with passenger on board. Subject tried to turn his sailboat around and collided with an anchored boat (knot complain''n) on the starboard side. Damage to the knot complain''n boat is to the gel coating from where the sailboat hit. The top of the boat, windshield, and seats were damage from the mast of the sailboat when it fell on the boat. There were no injuries and proper pfds were used. Information was exchanged between parties. Kansas park ranger created the initial report and passed the information along to me, game warden. I conducted follow up interviews and verified that the initial report was accurate. The initial report from ranger is attached. This is all i have to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2020-0021
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-08-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:56:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Neosho River-low-water dam at
NearestCityorTown: Chanute
County: Neosho
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Dam/lock
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 3rd, 2020, at approximately 8:56 p.m., Kansas Dept. of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism Natural Resource Officer was contacted by Neosho County Sheriff dispatch about a person that had gone over Barker''s dam in a kayak and capsized, but was able to get to shore and warn that several others, including children, were coming downstream in kayaks behind him. 

Barker''s low water dam is located on the Neosho River in Neosho County, north of Chanute, KS and is a privately controlled non-navigable water way. NRO responded to the location, arriving at approximately 9:19 p.m., and met Sheriff Deputy and reporting party who explained he had just been notified the rest of the group had gotten out safely upstream at the 169 Highway bridge over the river. 

NRO went to that location and made contact with everyone who had been on the water to ensure all were accounted for and uninjured. After making initial contact with the group, NRO spoke with the individual who had actually gone over the low water dam. The group had put their kayaks on the water at the Humboldt, KS dam and floated downstream with the intention of taking out of the water at an unplanned location prior to going over a low water dam. 

OPERATOR explained he had been up ahead of the rest of the group and did not know they had taken off the water at the 169 highway bridge. OPERATOR continued on downstream. "Barker''s" low water dam is located on a blind curve in the river with little option for a location to get out of the water. 

OPERATOR explained he had gone over the dam near the middle of the river and came out of his kayak, which was caught in the water boil and remained in the water after he escaped. OPERATOR also was caught in the boil and stated he struggled multiple times unsuccessfully to come vertically to the surface for a breath of air before swimming out from the bottom of the dam downstream and breaking the boil line, being swept downstream to some rocks, and then swimming to shore and going to the nearest house for help. 

NRO asked OPERATOR if he needed medical attention and recommended being evaluated by EMS and OPERATOR agreed. Deputy requested EMS come to the location. While continuing to speak with OPERATOR, he stated he inhaled a lot of water and every time he bent over water would come out of his nose. He then continued saying he had a mild heart attack recently and began to have shallow, labored breathing, rapid heart rate, and shortness of breath. 

EMS was updated to respond emergent and arrived at approximately 10:25 p.m. Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center EMS transported OPERATOR, leaving the location at approximately 10:37 p.m. 

Permission from landowners had not been obtained to travel that section of Neosho River.


BARDID: KS-2020-0022
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Fall River-56 miles E of Wichi
NearestCityorTown: Fall River
County: Greenwood
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/13/2020 at approximately 1810 hours I Game Warden received a call from Park Ranger stating there had been a boat collision on Fall River Lake in Greenwood County Kansas.  

I notified Subject I would be in-route from my residence.  At approximately 1845 hours I arrived on scene to an area on the shoreline near the Fall River State Park cabins.  When I arrived on scene EMS and fire crews were performing CPR on an adult male later identified as Victim1.  Also, on shore with this individual was his son Victim1’s son and his two brothers.  

When I spoke to Brother2, he told me that him and his brother Brother1 were at the cabin and their brother Victim1 and his son Victim1’s son were riding jet skis.  

They were going to come by the cabins to wave at them.  He saw them coming but could not see them when the collision occurred.  I then spoke to Victim1’s son who was on the phone with his mother at the time.  I asked him to explain to me what happened.  He stated that they were both going full throttle and his dad started to do circles in front of him and he hit him.  I asked him where he hit him, and he showed me that the impact was on the side of the vessel.  I asked if his vessel stopped or went over the other vessel.  He stated that he went over the vessel.

At this time Victim1 was loaded onto a private vessel with medical staff and transported to the boat ramp where the ambulance was waiting.  I transported Brother2 to an area in the state park where the life flight helicopter was waiting for the patient.  EMS received the patient on shore at 1917 hours.  At 1931 hours Victim1 was pronounced deceased.  Notifications were made to the family members and information was gathered.  At this time, I recovered and photographed both vessels.  They were then loaded on the trailer and additional photographs were taken.  I took the vessels into my custody for further investigation and they were stored in the State Park compound at Fall River Reservoir.  

Based on the damage patterns we determined that vessel one which was being operated by Victim1 was struck by vessel two being operated by Victim1’s son.  The impact was at 80 degrees and vessel two rode over vessel one and exited off the back-left side of vessel one.  Photographs were taken of both vessels along with the measurements.  We determined the vessels could be returned to the family.

On 08/19/2020 I received preliminary autopsy results from Under Sheriff.  The preliminary results stated that the cause of death was blunt force trauma.  On 9/15/2020 I received final autopsy results from Under Sheriff.  The final results also stated that blunt force trauma was the cause of death.  The autopsy reported fractured left ribs and fractured and displaced right ribs.  The right lung had scattered contusions and both lungs contained liquid and clotted blood.  Both lobes of the liver had deep lacerations.  The autopsy also reported numerous abrasions on the right side of the body.


BARDID: KS-2020-0023
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-07-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton-5 miles S of Lawrence
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
AccidentCause2: Weather
AccidentCause3: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 18th, 2020, at approximately 18:00 hrs, game warden received a call from LT about a boat accident on Clinton lake that had just occurred. Warden then called the park manager and was told a fishing boat had capsized and that all occupants were safely on shore. 

However the vessel was still floating upside down somewhere on the lake. Warden responded to Clinton lake and make contact. The officers took a patrol boat towards the Bloomington public use area where the accident occurred. The officers made contact with a state park vessel who had found the capsized vessel and were standing by. 

Warden attempted to motor his vessel up to the capsized vessel but high winds and shallow water made it difficult to reach with the Boston Whaler patrol boat. The capsized vessel was floating upside down in two feet of water about 20 feet from the rocky shore. The capsized vessel was not moving and appeared to be stuck on something. Warden was unable to get his vessel close enough to get a rope on the capsized vessel so the state park boat attempted to get to it.

 The state park boat was a smaller aluminum boat and was able to get a tow rope attached to the d ring on the front of the capsized vessel. The state park vessel started to slowly tow the capsized vessel in reverse. The plan was to tow the vessel to the nearest boat ramp but the cove the vessel was in was very shallow and the state park vessel got stuck in shallow water. The state park vessel untied the tow rope and Warden was able to get close enough for them to throw the rope to him. The officers secured the rope to a cleat in the Whaler patrol boat and Warden was able to tow the capsized vessel into deeper water and then head for the boat ramp where the owner was waiting. 

Without the capsized vessel attached to them, the state park vessel was able to get un stuck and return to the boat ramp. Warden was able to get the capsized vessel back to the boat ramp and secured to the boat dock. 

Warden then met with the boat''s owner, who was also the operator at the time of the accident. Warden photographed the id and then returned it to Operator. Warden then got some more personal information from Operator. Warden then asked Operator what happened. 

Operator said he was just drifting with the wind, not under power. Operator said it was just him and his dog on the vessel. Operator said the wind was strong and there were large waves hitting the boat. Operator said the boat seemed to be getting lower and lower in the water. Operator said he believed the vessel was taking on water from fiberglass damage on the bottom of the hull from when he had scrapped a rocky bottom at an earlier date. 

Warden could see the fiberglass damage on the hull, it was not all the way through the hull but may have been letting in water. Operator said eventually the vessel got low enough in the water that the waves started to crash over and into the boat. Operator said at this time he started to gather life jackets and then him and his dog jumped out of the vessel.

 Operator said after the vessel flipped over he swam back to it and lifted his dog up onto the overturned vessel while he held onto it for floatation. Operator said his friends then saw him and picked him up in their boat. Operator then hooked a chain to the capsized vessel and drug the boat as far up the boat ramp as he could. Then Operator removed the drain plug which released the trapped air in the capsized vessel. Then by using a hydrallic jack the boat was lifted on one side as high as it would go. Then several people got in the water to try to turn the boat over. They tied two ropes to cleats in the boat and then the officers pulled on the ropes from the other boat dock while those in the water lifted. The boat was righted and then the owner was able to trailer it....


BARDID: KS-2020-0024
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-08-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton-5 miles S of Lawrence
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
AccidentCause2: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 22, 2020, at approximately 19:00 hrs, game warden received a call about a capsized vessel on Clinton Lake. Warden responded to the scene. Lt and game warden also responded. When Warden arrived he learned that there were actually two boat accidents that occurred at about the same place. 

The capsized vessel had already been towed back to the boat ramp by the fire department. An ambulance and medics were already on site for that call when some people brought a 20 year old female up to the ambulance to get checked out. 

The woman had been injured while tubing. The EMTs decided to transport the woman Mackenzie Victim to LMH hospital in lawrence. It was decided that LT would stay and deal with the capsized vessel and Warden went to LMH hospital to check on Victim. 

Warden was able to visit Victim and her boyfriend at the hospital. Victim was stable but sleeping and so Warden spoke with Boyfriend. Boyfriend said that he and Victim were tubing, being pulled behind a boat that his father was driving.

 Boyfriend said that on a turn both he and Victim leaned the same way and the tube turned over towards the side Victim was on. Victim hit the water face first and Boyfriend said she was unconscious for a few seconds. Boyfriend said she came to while he was holding onto her and he helped load her back onto the boat. Boyfriend said that both he and Victim were wearing life jackets. Boyfriend said they took Victim back to the boat ramp and there was already an ambulance there so they got Victim checked out. Boyfriend said they took Victim to the hospital and that they still had to run a few tests but that Victim had a concussion for sure. Boyfriend then was able to give names, date of birth, and contact information for everyone else on the boat.

On August 23, 2020, Warden made contact with Boyfriend. He said that Victim was released from the hospital late last night. He said that she was sore and had a bad concussion but that no other health issues were discovered.


BARDID: KS-2020-0025
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-08-30 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Winfield City Lake-10 miles NE
NearestCityorTown: Winfield
County: Cowley
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On Sunday, 08302020, GW was called to a boat collision on Winfield City Lake, in Cowley County, KS.  Officer gathered info from the boat versus PWC accident at the scene and then provided it to me, GW, to file the report.  

GW 1 was advised by GW 2 that a boat was cruising on the lake in a counter clockwise rotation around the SW corner of the lake near the dam.  While the boat was cruising, a PWC, no relation, was jumping the wake behind the boat.  GW 2 advised that when the boat operator noticed this action, he began to slow down.  

At this time is when the PWC got to close to the boat and jumped the wake, which created the collision.  The PWC hit the boat in the stern, back,  slid up to the top then slid off the rear port side.  There were no injuries.  The PWC was at fault by prohibited operation of wake jumping to close.  The boat sustained about a foot long crack in the fiberglass on top of the stern.  The PWC did not sustain any damage that was noticeable.  The PWC operator was 16 yrs old without boater education and there was not a proper aged observer on board.  Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2020-0026
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-09-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Kahola
NearestCityorTown: Dunlap
County: Chase
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
At 19:42 on 09/06/2020 I Game Warden was contacted by the caretaker of Lake Kahola who informed there had been an accident involving two vessels on Lake Kahola at or around 19:00. I arrived at Lake Kahola Morris County Kansas at 20:23 to visit with both parties involved to get information and statements. 

I interviewed the operator of the Yellow Mastercraft Vessel which was the Give Way and Striking vessel. The operator who I identified as Operator1 stated he was towing his daughter who was water skiing. Operator1 said his wife, Father in-law, mother in-law, and son were aboard his vessel during the time of accident. 

Operator1 said he was traveling in a counterclockwise rotation as directed by the Homeowner Association Rules. Operator1 stated he was outside of the buoys that allowed wake speed on the south side of lake. Operator1 believed he was going around ten miles an hour. The traffic on the water had some congestion with a Personal Watercraft following closely behind his daughter causing some apprehension for her safety.  

With Operator1 concerned for his daughter safety he began to look back and forth between views of watching where he was going and watching his daughter behind his vessel. During this time frame Operator1 observed a Pontoon in his immediate path and was unable to direct his vessel to clear water and struck the Pontoon Vessel in a side swiping force. 

After the accident in fear of his vessel sinking Operator1 picked up his daughter out of the water and returned to his dock. Operator1 concurred the accident happened at 19:00. Operator1 stated he believed the pontoon was outside of the buoys and should not have been adrift, floating on the lake according to lake association rules. I gathered Operator1''s information and occupant''s information and released them from the scene. 

I next visited with Operator2 who was the owner of the pontoon vessel that was the Stay On vessel and the one that had been struck. Operator2 said he had taken out his wife and her 4 friends out on the lake so they could have fun and float. Operator2 said he had been on the water for about two hours. 

Operator2 said they had been letting the wind drift them with the motor shutoff. Operator2 stated the were outside of the flow traffic on the inside of the buoys. Operator2 stated his vessel was facing toward the dam which would be an eastern direction from where there were on the lake. 

Operator2 stated from the operators position he could not see the traffic behind him, but his occupant could since they were facing sideways and rearward in the pontoon boat. Operator2 Stated he saw several of the groups faces change to fear and heard them say a boat was going to hit them. 

Operator2 said he cranked the wheel of boat trying to straighten out the pontoon before the collision happened.  

Operator2 stated one of the occupants received whiplash and fell backwards breaking the table leg on the pontoon. Operator2 said there were two nurses on board who checked on that occupant and at the time of the interview that occupant had refused treatment. 

Operator2 said a Personal Watercraft occupied by an adult male and a child stopped to see of both parties were alright and if there were any injuries. Operator2 Stated he believed Operator1''s vessel was traveling 15 to 20 miles an hour. Operator2 agreed the incident happened around 19:00 and he took his pontoon back the dock shortly after the incident. 

During the interview with both Operator2 and Operator1 they both agreed on the time of the accident, direction of travel and the general location on the lake except for on what side of the no wake buoys the incident happen on.


BARDID: KS-2020-0027
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-09-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton-5 miles S of Lawrence
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 5th, 2020, at approximately 18:00 hrs, game warden was on patrol on the water at Clinton Lake. Warden heard a call on the radio about a woman on a boat at boat ramp 2 with a broken arm. Warden responded and found the victim being tended to by paramedics. The paramedics were tending to the victim aboard a blue pontoon boat. 

Warden located the owner and operator of the vessel. Warden asked Operator what happened and he said that he was pulling up to the dock at the boat ramp and Victim reached out to try to grab the post on the dock. Operator said the boat was still moving and Victim''s arm got caught between the boat and the steel post. The boat was still in gear at the time and Victim''s arm was crushed. Victim''s arm appeared to be badly broken and so they called the paramedics. Warden then got some information from Operator about the occupants of the vessel and information about the vessel itself. The victim was loaded into an ambulance and taken to the hospital. On September 6th, 2020, Warden contacted Operator and checked on the injuries to the victim and other information needed for the report. Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2020-0028
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-09-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Winfield City Lake-10 miles NE
NearestCityorTown: Winfield
County: Cowley
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
AccidentCause3: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday 09/19/2020, at approximately 1300 hrs, Cowley County dispatch was informed of a PWC injury accident at the Winfield City Lake dam.  Warden was contacted at approximately 1320 hrs reporting the accident.  Warden arrived on scene at approximately 1340 hrs, and made contact with Winfield PD officers who advised that they had one PWC involved injury accident.  Warden made contact with operator of PWC.  

Operator advised he was operating the PWC pulling his son on a tube behind PWC.  Operator advised that he was turning right, North, to avoid going to shore with the PWC and the momentum of the turn took the tube and his son into the shore/rocks of the face of the dam.  

Operator advised he then came to shore where his son was to try to help him.   Warden asked Operator if he had any alcohol/drinking that day.  Operator advised he does not drink.  Warden asked Operator if he would be willing to submit a PBT test to check for alcohol.  Operator advised he would.  Warden advised Operator that with being involved in a PWC accident subjects himself to testing and that he does not have any right to consult an attorney.  

Operator advised he understood and submitted a test.  The PBT test result was .000.  Warden then took photos of the PWC and got a report from Operator about possible injuries to his son.  Operator advised he had serious injuries.  At this time Wiinfield EMS took Victim to meet the helicopter to then be transported to Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS.  

Warden assisted Operator with getting his PWC back to his launch location and then had Operator fill out a statement form.  Warden then spoke with a witness who advised he and his children all witnessed the accident.  

Warden was advised that Victim had a compound fracture of the lower left leg.  A laceration to the left forearm.  A laceration to  the back of the head and a possible contusion with internal injuries on the left side of torso near the kidney region.  Warden contacted Cowley Dispatch for further information and then cleared the scene at 1430hrs.  Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2020-0029
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-10-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:36:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Melvern-35 miles S of Topeka o
NearestCityorTown: Lyndon
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On Monday, October 12, 2020, at approximately 6:38 P.M. Officer1 received a phone call from the Osage County Sheriff dispatch.  Dispatch told Officer1 that a boat had been found at Carbolyn Boat Ramp upside down at the ramp.  Officer1 informed dispatch he would be in route.  While in route Officer1 heard a deputy tell dispatch she found a body in the water by the dock.  Officer1 arrived at approximately 6:51 P.M.  When Officer1 arrived he seen a Deputy and Investigator trying to drag a body to the boat ramp.  Officer1 went and assisted getting a white male over to the boat ramp.   Once body was on hard surface, Investigator started CPR.  Deputy then went and got written statements from the reporting parties.  At approximately 6:54 P.M. EMS arrived on scene and took over CPR.  

Officer1 and Deputy spoke to the reporting parties about what they saw.  Report parties told Officer1 and Deputy that they got to the Carbolyn Boat Ramp around 11:30 A.M. and went down stream.  They also told the officers that they were the only ones there.   They then told them that they came back by the boat ramp around 4:30 P.M.   They saw what looked like a piece of tin or a kayak upside down in the water by dock.  

They continued up stream and came back around 6:15 P.M.   They told the officers that they loaded the their boat and then tried to pull the overturned boat out of the water.  They said when they noticed things falling out of the boat, they called 911.  Deputy  advised dispatch at approximately 6:48 P.M. she had found a body in the water and to send medical.

Osage County Sheriff office is the lead investigator of the case.  Officer1 does not have autopsy results back and was informed it will be eight to ten weeks before they are completed.


BARDID: KS-2020-0030
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-08-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:52:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Meriden
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Sudden medical condition
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Victim 1 was being pulled behind vessel 1 on a tube when he waved, then blacked-out for an unknown reason. Victim 1 regained consciousness when he hit the water. Victim 1 sustained bruised ribs. Victim 1 was then transported to the Rock Creek marina. Jefferson County EMS transported victim 1 to Stormont Vail hospital in Topeka, KS.


BARDID: KS-2020-0031
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-08-16 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:50:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person Struck by Propeller
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Just prior to the incident, vessel 1''s engine was not running well, so the operator reportedly put it in neutral. Victim 1 and another occupant exited vessel 1, then attempted to climb onto a tube, in close proximity of its stern. Victim 1 slipped off the tube and his right lower leg is believed to have made contact with the propellor. Victim 1''s right calf sustained deep lacerations, and he was transported to Stormont Vail in Topeka, KS, by Jefferson County EMS.


BARDID: KS-2020-0032
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-08-23 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was on plane, traveling approximately 20-25 mph towards the buoyed ''no-wake'' area, on the southwest side of the Ferguson Road bridge, when it unexpectedly hit two or three large waves (wakes). 

Victim 1, seated in the forward section on the port side of vessel 1, was thrown into the air and her head and neck subsequently impacted with the front side of the windshield, on the port side. Vessel 1 transported victim 1 to the Perry Yacht and Marina Club, and Jefferson County EMS transported victim 1 to Stormont Vail hospital in Topeka, KS.


BARDID: KS-2020-0033
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-09-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton-5 miles S of Lawrence
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Rough
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Weather
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 7th, 2020, at approximately 15:00 hrs, game warden was on patrol around Clinton Lake in Douglas County Kansas. A call came out over the radio about a criminal damage complaint at the Clinton Marina. Warden responded. Subject owned a boat that was docked in a slip near the end of one of the marina docks. Subject reported that someone had struck his motor, damaging the motor mount and possibly the motor itself.

 Subject also reported the vessel next to his also appeared to be damaged. Warden followed Subject to his vessel and observed the damage. The motor had been swiveled around from impact and the motor mount was now very loose on the transom. There was no paint transfer on the motor and unknown if there was any other damage to the motor. 

Subject said that it had been about a week since he had visited the boat, so the boat must have been struck sometime in the last week.  Subject also wanted to note that the winds were very strong the day before and so the accident may well have occurred then. Warden got contact information from Subject and information needed for this report. Warden then moved on to the other damaged boat. This boat had a badly damaged motor mount, the metal was clearly bent. The prop of the motor looked like it had possibly been swung into the vessel''s rudder as well. The motor did show some paint transfer on the starboard side, appeared to be white paint. Warden was given the owners name and two phone numbers for the owner of the boat by marina staff. Warden called both numbers and left voicemail messages with both. 

Warden asked about the boat and if Subject2 knew about the bent motor mount. Subject2 had not known and said the boat was fine the last time he ran it on September 2nd, 2020. Meaning the accident occurred between September 2nd and September 7th. Warden got some additional information from Subject2 and then ended the call. Warden then photographed the damage to both boats. Warden then checked the other boats around the slip for damage, finding no other damaged boats. Warden then talked to Marina staff. The staff member said they do dock checks to check on vessels but had not yet noticed the damage. Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2020-0034
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-09-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 06:55:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Due to the fog, visibility was estimated to be approximately 100 yards when vessel 1 ran aground. No injuries were reported. The damage sustained to vessel 1 is estimated to be in excess of $2,000.00.


BARDID: KS-2020-0035
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2020-10-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Melvern-35 miles S of Topeka o
NearestCityorTown: Lyndon
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 9:15 P.M. Officer was contacted by phone from the Osage County Sheriff Dispatch.   Dispatch told Officer that a reporting party had called them and told them they heard a boat hit land across the cove from where they were camping.  

Officer called the reporting party.  Officer asked the reporting party what she heard or saw.  She told Officer that she really didn''t see anything but heard the boat coming across the water then hit the swimming beach causeway.  Reporting party told Officer that she could see that they had their lights on.  She also told Officer that they had asked the people on the boat if they were alright.  They responded back, yes.

Officer radioed dispatch and told them he was in route to Eisenhower State Park.   When Officer arrived, Officer2 was already on scene.  Officer2 informed Officer what he received from the driver and passenger of the boat.  

Officer asked the driver to walk over to the truck with him.  Officer asked Operator what happened.  Operator told Officer that he got turned around and lost where he was at on the lake. He told Officer that he thought he was another cove over where the east boat ramp was.   Officer conducted seated battery testing on Operator.  Officer did not find Operator to be impaired.  Officer then took pictures of the boats damage.  Officer could see a hole in the bottom of the boat towards the bow and several large/deep scratches in the bottom of boat.  

Officer and Officer2 advised Operator not to move the boat until morning.  Operator removed several things from the boat and putting them in a friends truck.   

Officer returned to the boat on following morning 10-11-20 and boat was gone.  Officer found the boat at West Point Campground.  Officer took some more pictures and told Operator the procedures that were going to follow.


BARDID: KS-2021-0001
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-06-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:30:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Neosho River-low-water dam at
NearestCityorTown: Burlington
County: Coffey
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
AccidentCause2: Machinery failure
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
A commissioned law enforcement officer with the Department of Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism was on duty in Osage county on June 5th,2021 and I received a text from Coffey County dispatch at 1833hrs of a boat accident at Burlington city dam. I was informed of two adults and two children that were on a boat and went over the dam and the boat capsized.

The family had put in at the River Side West boat ramp on the Neosho River that was flowing at approximately 9,000cfs. The family just bought the boat and was having trouble with the motor. With the motor running they travelled downstream past the public use area heading towards the low head dam, owned by the City of Burlington. Unaware of the dam, the operator placed the motor in reverse when observing rapids. The motor stalled and the operator could not get the motor restarted. Before the boat went over the low head dam the operator of the boat grabbed his two children. The occupants of the boat were ejected and placed into the boil of the low head dam.

The operator of the boat was the only individual that did not have a life jacket on. OPERATOR 1 was trying to get on top of the overturned boat along with one of the children before the water boil sucked the boat back under. During this time, the adult male was pushed out of the boil and grabbed onto a tree where he was later rescued by Coffey County water rescue.

The other three individuals remained trapped in the boil. Shortly after the adult male was rescued Coffey County dispatched that a child was face down flailing their arms floating down the river just pasted the East River bridge. Coffey County water rescue and I found the child floating motionless a half mile passed the bridge. Water rescue recovered him and took him to an awaiting EMS.

Searching downstream, I retrieved a life jacket out of the water. Water rescue located an adult female that was submerged below where the life jacket was located that I had retrieved. It was determined that the life jacket had been worn by her.

Soon after the adult female was located and retrieved, the last child was located near the dam. All the individuals involved in the accident were transported to the Burlington Hospital. OPERATOR 1, the operator of the boat was the lone survivor as the other three occupants were pronounced deceased.

On 8/28/2021 I received the autopsy results of the three indivudals from Frontier Forensics involved in the boating accident determinding all three passed from drowning. Nothing further to report. 

The investigation of the deaths and boating incident is ongoing and awaiting the results of the autopsies.
Diagram: A- direction of boat when stalled, B- where boat had gone over the low had dam, C- where boat was stuck in boil, D- resting place of boat after water was shut off.


BARDID: KS-2021-0002
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-06-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 21:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Missouri River - city parks in
NearestCityorTown: Kansas City
County: Wyandotte
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
The occupant on vessel 1, which was a personal watercraft, stated on June 12, 2021 around 2100 hrs allowed a friend who has prior boating and pwc experience to operate the pwc on the Missouri River immediately downstream from the I-435 bridge near Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas.  

The occupant said the operator was operating vessel 1 in a reckless manner downstream near the bank on the Kansas side of the river.  The occupant said he did not know if the operator had consumed any alcoholic beverages.  The occupant told the operator to watch out for the rocks along the river bank as the operator was operating vessel 1 in the direction towards them.  

Prior to running aground the occupant jumped off of vessel 1 into the river.  The occupant said he watched the operator run the vessel 1 aground on the rocky bank at a slight angle along the river bank, and the operator was then ejected approximately 15 feet in the air from the vessel 1.  

The occupant/owner said the front starboard fiberglass hull of the pwc close to the keel line was cracked and the handled bars were bent slightly forward.  The operator transported to the Parkville, Missouri boat ramp, and then transported to the North Kansas City for injuries to his face, including a broken eye socket.  

On June 13, 2021 Missouri Conservation Agent found the stranded vessel aground on the rocks on the Kansas side of the Missouri River.  The agent took several pictures of the vessel and the path it made when running aground.

Nothing Further


BARDID: KS-2021-0003
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-06-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Kanopolis - 33 miles SW of Sal
NearestCityorTown: Kanopolis
County: Ellsworth
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 06/20/2021 Owner was operating his Sea Doo PWC on Kanopolis Reservoir. Shortly before 12:00 PM Owner parked his PWC on a private dock slip in the Marina Cove. When Owner returned to the slip around 16:00 his PWC was submerged under water. The only things showing was the Bow Eye, Handle Bars, and partial seat. Game Warden was contacted by Park Ranger. I informed Ranger that most likely a plug wasn't in place and they needed to remove the PWC to check it for damages and plug placement. Park Ranger called me around 17:31 and informed me that they got it on a lift at the private dock. When they got it on the lift they noticed only one drain plug was inserted and the second one was left out causing the PWC to take on water. No other damages were noticed. 
Owner's PWC was in compliance with all Kansas Laws and Owner also has a Kansas Boater Education Card.


BARDID: KS-2021-0004
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-03 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry-18 miles NE of Topeka on
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
According to the owner/operator Identified as Operator, he was operating his boat a 2000, 22 ft Proline, 22 Sport on Perry Lake, Perry, Jefferson County, KS, at approximately 22:30 Hrs. on 07-03-2021, near the "Devil's Gap" area of the lake and was heading back to the Perry Marina. He thought he had cleared the area enough to turn back towards the east. Operator stated he thought he may have hit an object under water and over corrected turning more to the port side of the boat. Operator's boat contacted the shore. Operator did admit to drinking alcohol earlier in the day. 

Due to the speed at which he was traveling the resulting contact tore the propeller and lower unit off the motor, forcing the boat to go airborne approximately 20 ft, landing on the port side, the vessel continued up the shore turning more towards the port. This action caused the boat to tip to the starboard side, causing damage to the hull, T-Top Canopy and ejecting the operator out of the boat on the starboard side. The vessel tipped back to the port side coming to rest that way on shore. 

Operator stated he was not injured and gathered items together and met his son at the entrance to the Slough Creek Park. He returned the next morning and gathered more personal items before leaving the boat where it sat.

At about 01:00 Hrs. on 07-04-21 Witness 1, a Camp Host for the Slough Creek Park received a knock on the door from an unidentified male who stated his dad was in a boat accident and needed to get through the gate. Witness 1 asked if he needed to call 911 and the individual declined and did not want law enforcement contacted. This individual was later identified as the son of the boat operator.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department received a call about the vessel at about 10:30 Hrs. on 07-04-21. Officer arrived on scene at approximately 11:00 Hrs. on 07-04-21. He observed the above-mentioned boat grounded on the shore. While investigating the scene officer observed an unopened Bud light Beer can near the boat in question. The vessel had sustained extensive hull damage due to the grounding.

Officer contacted the owner of the vessel and arraigned to meet Operator in the afternoon of 07-09-21. Officer contacted Operator at 16:40 Hrs. At this time Operator agreed to speak with officer and completed a statement form about what had happened. Officer advised him about the reporting requirements for boat accidents and issued Operator citations for "Failing to Report a Boat Accident" KS.S.A 32-1177 and "Unsafe Operation" KS.S.A 32-1125.


BARDID: KS-2021-0006
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-10 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:05:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Glen Elder - 12 miles W of Bel
NearestCityorTown: Glen Elder
County: Mitchell
WaterConditions: Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Weather
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/10/2021 at approximately 1605hrs Vessel 1 was being operated by Operator. Operator was fishing a cove 1/2 mile west of The Bluffs campground on the south side of Glen Elder Reservoir. As Operator was leaving the cove traveling North. Operator and passenger noticed a storm had been approaching and was skirting the east edge of Glen Elder Reservoir. The storm brought high winds and large waves. Operator had been using the trolling motor while fishing and went to the front of the vessel to bring the trolling motor out of the water to its traveling position as they came to the mouth of the cove. When Operator got back to the drivers seat the first wave came over the front of the bass boat and swamped the vessel before Operator could raise the bow of the vessel under power. The vessel then lost power and floated approximately 100yds to the west southwest to shore. The shore was rocky and the boat bounced on the rocks for approximately 1 hour until Marina Owner and Park Ranger came to pick up Operator and passenger. Marina Owner used his pontoon and towed the vessel back into the cove were it would be protected by the wind. Bystander was informed of the incident by Park Ranger at 0915 hrs and arrived on scene at 0945 hrs. On 07/12/2021 Marina Owner removed the vessel from the water and Bystander took pictures of the bottom of the vessel. The rocks had punched holes in the fiberglass on the bottom of the vessel. Nothing further to report


BARDID: KS-2021-0007
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Winfield City Lake - 10 miles
NearestCityorTown: Winfield
County: Cowley
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
MachineryFailure: Shift
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On Friday 07/09/2021, at approximately 1300 hrs Game Warden (GW) was contacted by Cowley County Dispatch about a boat accident at the Winfield City Lake.  GW advised he would be enroute to take a report.  GW arrived at the city lake at approximately 1320 hrs and found a pontoon boat at the main boat ramp beached on the rock jetty protecting the ramp.  GW made contact with the boat owner/operator and WPD Officer.  GW asked the operator what happened.  The Operator advised that he was unloading the boat from the trailer, and after backing away, he placed the throttle in neutral then into forward and the boat lurched forward at full speed.  Operator advised that when he pulled the throttle back to neutral the boat didn't stop, so he pulled the kill switch but not after the boat beached on the rock jetty.  GW asked Operator if the had any work done on the boat, and Operator advised that the boat was in the shop all of 2020 getting new skirting replaced around the whole boat.  GW asked Operator if he had consumed any alcohol that day.  Operator advised he had not and that he doesn't drink.  GW had Operator fill out a statement form and GW photographed damages and checked the boat throttle.  GW found that the throttle did have an apparent problem in that it was very difficult to move if at all.  GW could not move the throttle forward or back without breaking something.  A tow truck arrived and pulled the boat off the shore and then Operator and some bystanders loaded the boat on the trailer by hand and with ropes.  GW finished gathering required information and cleared the scene at approximately 1450 hrs.  Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2021-0008
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-18 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:50:00
CoordinatesConfidence: C
NameOfBodyOfWater: Private lake
NearestCityorTown: Lansing
County: Leavenworth
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Capsizing
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Sudden medical condition
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 7-18-21 at approximately 11:50 Hrs Leavenworth County Fire/EMS was dispatched to a water rescue at a private water impoundment in  Leavenworth County, KS. Officers responded to the scene and arrived approximately 12:40 Hrs. Upon arrival the scene was being worked by Leavenworth fire rescue and officers from the Lansing Police Department.
The victim was canoeing with his girlfriend and their dog. According to PASSENGER 1 the dog got anxious being on the water and caused the canoe to tip and capsize. The OPERATOR & PASSENGER 1 fell into the water PASSENGER 1 began to swim to shore. OPERATOR 1 had stayed with the canoe at first then tried swimming to shore. PASSENGER 1 made it to shore and looked back for OPERATOR 1. OPERATOR 1 was unable to make it and had a panic attack, he then slipped below the surface of the water. Neither party was wearing a PFD and no PFDs were located at the scene.
The Overland Park PD Dive Team located the victim at 15:45 Hrs using sonar equipment. Recovery was made at 15:50 Hrs
Lansing Police Department is conducting the death investigation.


BARDID: KS-2021-0010
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-06-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Milford - 5 miles NW of Juncti
NearestCityorTown: Junction City
County: Geary
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel was towing a tube on Milford Reservoir near West Rolling Hills Park. Three subjects were on board the vessel and three subjects were on board the tube. Two male subjects and one female were on board the tube, with the female subject being in the middle. All three subjects were facing forward riding in a kneeling position. Vessel was traveling south at approximately fifteen to twenty miles per hour. Vessel made a left hand turn which swung the tube outside the wake on the starboard side of the vessel. While sliding sideways across the water, the tube rolled and tossed all three subjects into the water. The female subject suffered a broken left arm when she impacted the water. The female subject was transported to Geary Community Hospital for treatment. No other injuries were reported as a result of this incident.


BARDID: KS-2021-0011
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-06-12 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Marion - 4 miles NW of Marion
NearestCityorTown: Marion
County: Marion
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Equipment failure
EquipmentFailure: Seat broke loose
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Wednesday July 28th, 2021, I, Game Warden, was contacted by Captain about a delayed report of a boat accident that happened on June 12, 2021 On Marion Reservoir in Marion County Kansas. I was tasked with investigating the accident. 

On Thursday July 29th 2021, I went to the address to meet with the owners and occupants of the boat to get statements and take photos of the boat. A lady by the name of Passenger 1 reported to me that on June 12, 2021, at approximately 1615 hours, they were cruising westbound in their boat at around 10 miles per hour and hit a submerged object in a cove on the north side of Marion Reservoir.  The object put a hole in their boat and sent the occupants of the boat flying out of their seats.  Nobody was ejected from the boat, but Passenger 1 had broken her right arm during the impact. Passenger 1 was the only individual out of four occupants on the boat with any injuries beyond first aid. Passenger 1 was treated at Hillsboro community hospital then passed on to a hospital in Wichita for her injuries.  

The boat involved in the accident was a 20 foot 1986 condor jet boat. In this specific boat, the driver console is on the port side. The driver of the boat was Operator whom is the registered owner of the boat. At impact, the drivers seat of the boat broke off its frame. The passenger seat of the boat where Passenger 1 was sitting is located across from the drivers console on the starboard side. There are also seats located behind the console's toward the stern of the boat. This is where the other two occupants were located when the accident occurred. The other two occupants were Passenger 2 and Passenger 3. The boat also had damage to the bottom of the hull. In the center of the hull About two feet in front of the jet intake there was a hole in the fiberglass about the size of a soft ball and abrasion's in the clear coat leading to the hole. Operator told me after the accident, they realized the boat was taking on water and they drove to the boat ramp before the boat could sink. They were able to get the boat off the water before it sank. I photographed the damage to the boat and left the address. 

After departing the address, Passenger 1 texted me pictures of the object they hit as it was now out of the water due to the lake level coming down. It appeared to be an 8 inch metal pipe capped off sticking up about 6 inches out of the water. After reciving these photos, I had the information I needed to complete a report and fininsh the accident investigation.   

On July 31, 2021 I started a vessel accident report for the accident, completing it and finishing my investigation.


BARDID: KS-2021-0012
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:59:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Ottawa State Fishing Lake
NearestCityorTown: Bennington
County: Ottawa
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Equipment failure
MachineryFailure: Fuel
EquipmentFailure: Fire extinguisher
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
I, a commissioned law enforcement officer (Officer) with Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks received a call from Ottawa County Dispatch on July 17, 2021 at 1830 of a boat fire at Ottawa State Fishing Lake (OTSL).  Dispatch advised no one was injured and only one vessel was involved and the fire was extinguished.  Officer advised dispatch that officer was out-of-town but would contact the undersheriff and work the boat accident and Officer did not believe another game warden needed to be dispatched.
Officer made contact with Undersheriff on July 21 and received a copy of his incident report(attached).  Officer also contacted the boat owner at his residence on July 21 and photographed the vessel and interviewed Owner (photos attached).  Owner made the following statement in his interview.  Owner purchased the boat and worked on it at this home.  Work included running the outboard engine in a 55 gallon water barrel and repairing the trailer rails and lights.  Owner stated he took the 14' Glassmaster to OTSL on the evening of July 17th. Owner was alone when he backed the boat into the water at the dam boat ramp.  He left the boat on the trailer as he initially started the outboard motor with no issues.  The motor died and he attempted to start it again without the motor igniting.  Owner utilized the electronic choke and the engine caught fire and blew the engine cover off the motor.  Fire spread quickly to the two plastic 6 gallon gas cans in the back of the boat.  Fire also spread to the interior and port side of the boat.  Owner stated the fire was pushed to the port side by a slight breeze.  A local camper assisted Owner out of the burning vessel and helped Owner recover his oxygen machine, fishing poles and cell phone.  The camper also pushed the burning vessel off the trailer to prevent fire from reaching Owner's pickup truck that was still attached to the boat trailer.  911 was called at 1759 hours on July 17, 2021.  Bennington fire arrived at 1809 and extinguished the fire with foam.

Owner stated he had two fire extinguisher on board the Glassmaster.  Owner attempted to engage the fire with the two extinguishers but they failed to operate.  Owner stated he pulled the pin and squeezed the trigger but little or no product came out of the extinguisher.  Owner had purchased the two extinguishers from Walmart in Salina.  Officer contacted Salina F.D. Fire Inspector about the extinguishers.  Fire Inspector stated a common fire extingisher made by Kidde and sold at many outlets had a recall in 2017.   Fire Inspector was going to check with Walmart and Owner to see if these extinguishers were effected by the recall.

Owner had all his safety items on board the vessel and had properly registered the vessel on July 12, 2021(attached).  Owner stated he purchased the vessel for $1200 and put a new trolling motor and fish finders on the vessel.  Owner was not insured on the vessel.  Owner stated his loss at $2200.    

END OF REPORT


BARDID: KS-2021-0013
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:04:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Arkansas River - Kaw Wildlife
NearestCityorTown: Arkansas City
County: Cowley
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was North bound on the Arkansas River, attempting to go under Chestnut Bridge in Arkansas City, KS 67005, while approaching the bridge the operator failed to noticed fishing line set from the bridge and attempted to avoid the fishing line, which caused the operator to collid with the bridge, ejecting the operator and the three occupants. Operator was transported to, Winfield Hostpital in Winfield KS, 67156 and then to Wesley Medical in Wichita KS, 67208. Two of the occupants seeked medical attention for minor sprains and bruising, and were not admitted to any medical facilities. Boating Enforcement Specialists 1 and 2 completed a damage assessment of the airboat, which included measurements and photographs of damages to the airboat. Charges were filed with the Cowley County Attorney under Prohibited Operation, KS 32-1125.


BARDID: KS-2021-0014
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton - 5 miles S of Lawrenc
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07-24-2021 at 16:10 Hours, Clinton State Park Staff was dispatched to a boat in distress on Clinton Lake, Lawrence, Douglas County, KS. Officers were advised the vessel struck a submerged object lost propulsion and was taking on water. Officer 1, Officer 2 and Officer 3 responded to the area and located the vessel. Officers towed the vessel to boat ramp 3 and gave the operator a ride to his vehicle to retrieve his trailer and get the water off the water.

According to the operator identified as Operator. The boating party consisting of himself, his wife - Passenger 3, ****, and occupants - Passenger 1, and Passenger 2, were on the water at Clinton Lake. The group had decided it was time to go home. While traveling back to Boat Ramp 2 from the Wakarusa Arm of the lake, the boat struck a submerged object and lost power. While investigating what had happened Officer observed the trim was no longer working on the vessel and the vessel had begun to take on water. 

Officers arrived on scene and everyone was wearing their personal floatation devices. Officers rendered assistance and towed the damaged vessel to Boat Ramp 3 and gave the operator a ride to his vehicle at Boat Ramp 2 on Clinton Lake.

After getting the vessel on to a trailer and out of the water the damage became observable. The result of the impact caused the trim to be completely broken from the rest of the outdrive system and left it hanging. The impact possibly popped the seal on the hull where the outdrive comes through thus causing the vessel to take on water. 

A vessel inspection was conducted, and all required safety items were on board. In contact with the operator alcohol did not appear to be a contributing factor. No Parties were injured.


BARDID: KS-2021-0015
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Melvern - 35 miles S of Topeka
NearestCityorTown: Melvern
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 5:03 pm on July 28, 2021, I, Game Warden 1 received a phone call from a nurse at Newman Regional Health Center in Emporia and was informed that a 10 year old girl came into the hospital with a head injury she sustained by falling off a tube that was being towed by a boat on Melvern Lake around 2:00 PM on July 28th, 2021. I drove to the hospital to interview the father later that evening. During the interview, the father, Operator, told me that himself, his son, and two daughters were tubing on Melvern Lake in a cove just south of Eisenhower State Park. An unknown suspect that was on a PWC (jet ski) was allegedly following too close behind the tube and after his daughter, Injured, fell off, Operator raised his skiier down flag and the suspect on the PWC hit the 10 year old, Injured, on the head going approximately 10-15 MPH. The suspect on the PWC jumped into the water to help the girl and assisted her back onto the boat that her father, Operator, was operating. The father told the suspect on the PWC that his daughter seemed fine and did not record the suspect's name or the numbers off of the PWC and gave the operator permission to leave. The only description of the PWC so far is that it is purple and white in color. On July 31st, 2021 at approximately 1353 hours (1:53 PM) and 1419 hours (2:19 PM) I contacted the father, Operator, by calling him on his cell phone. During the phone call, I asked how his daughter, Injured, was recovering. He informed me that she was doing well and was diagnosed with a concussion. He also informed me that Injured was later released that same night. During the interview at the hospital, Operator had mentioned the vessel he was operating belonged to his aunt and that he could not remember the registration number. When I asked if he could potentially get a picture of the boat with the registration numbers from his aunt, Operator told me he fell in the lake with his cell phone and lost all of his contact information and lost all of his files that were stored on his iCloud. When I asked for his aunt's name and address, he told me her name.  Operator informed me that his aunt recently got married so her maiden name might still be on the boat registration. I asked if he knew his aunt's maiden name and he did not know. 

Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2021-0016
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-08-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:03:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: El Dorado - 3 miles E, 2 miles
NearestCityorTown: El Dorado
County: Butler
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 17:03 hours on Thursday, August 5, 2021 after the occupants of the Personal Watercraft (PWC) tried using a cast net in the cove of El Dorado Reservoir's Shady Creek Picnic Area #1, the vessel's Operator was going to perform a high-speed left-hand circle before returning to the shore. While attempting the highspeed maneuver, the operator realized that the vessel was not going to complete the turn when the vessel was about 20' from the shoreline. The operator let off the throttle, thinking he needed to slow the vessel down and then throttle back up so the vessel could complete the turn. The vessel stopped turning (jet drive vessel) and started heading straight into the shoreline.  The vessel was traveling ~45 mph when it collided with some trees and rocks on the shoreline, ejecting the operator and passenger off the vessel. The vessel landed in some trees on the shore, completely out of the water. The operator sustained a laceration about 1 inch long on the bottom of his chin that required 6 stitches, and some scrapes and bruises to his arms and chest. The passenger sustained an abrasion to his left knee, scrapes to his right shoulder, and a bruise to the chin area.  The operator was transported to the Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Kansas by Butler County EMS where he was treated and released. The passenger went to the Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado Kansas on his own accord and was exammed and released. The vessel received damage in the form of: scrapes to the gel coat on the bow's hull front half; scrapes to the finish on the top of the vessel's bow area; and damage to the handle on the back of the seating area.


BARDID: KS-2021-0017
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-25 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney - 20 miles W of Wichita
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Capsizing
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause3: Weather
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
I, Game Warden 1, was working as a Game Warden for the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks on 7/25/21. At approximately 12:45 hours I was notified of a single boat accident at Cheney Reservoir. A park ranger at Cheney notified me of the details and began to get the occupants information. I left for Cheney Reservoir from Hutchinson at approximately 13:00 hours. 

I arrived at O'Brien's Marina at approximately 13:40 hours. Park Ranger was waiting with the occupants of the boat in the marina parking lot. There were four occupants total; Operator, Passenger 1, Passenger 2 and Passenger 3. Park Ranger acquired all of their information prior to my arrival. Park Ranger and I briefly discussed what he'd been told about the accident and then he cleared. I told the occupants to follow me to our boathouse parking lot so we could go over the accident in a more private setting. I briefly went over the information Park Ranger had provided me to make sure everything was correct. I then asked Operator and Passenger 1 to describe to me what had happened. They explained how the incident occurred and some prior information about the boat. I then had Operator and Passenger 1 fill out KDWP statement forms. After they finished, I went through our boat accident report with them. It was assumed to be a total loss at the time. I explained to them when they needed to recover the boat and some possible ways to do so. I told them I would need to inspect the boat after recovery. I gave them my information and they left at 14:50 hours. I cleared the scene at approximately 15:00 hours. I spoke with the owners of the Marina to see if they heard any information about the accident. They said no but they would notify me if they heard anything.

The accident occurred between 12:00-12:30 hours according to Operator. He said they had been looking to purchase the boat and were out at Cheney to test drive it with the seller. The seller was out with them prior to the accident. Operator said the boat ran fine without any issues during the test drive. After the test drive, they purchased the boat at Seller left. Operator and his family took the boat back out on the water afterwards. Operator did not register the boat into his name prior to operating. According to Operator and Passenger 1, the motor quit working when they were on the water. A storm was building not far from Cheney at the time so there weren't many boats on the water. They flagged someone down to tow them back to the East boat ramp. As they were being towed the weather began to worsen and the wind picked up. According to Operator and Passenger 1, the waves were bad and water was splashing into the boat. Operator tried to turn on the bilge pump but it couldn't keep up with the amount of water entering the boat. The boat eventually became swamped and began to sink. All occupants made it off the boat safely and onto the boat which was towing them. The boat eventually capsized and sunk. The occupants were transported back to the East boat ramp. The individuals that towed them left before anyone could get any information from them. All occupants made it to shore safely without injury. 

I drove back to Hutchinson to begin my report when another park ranger called and said there was a capsized boat floating near the area of the accident. Someone verified it was the same boat so I drove back to Cheney Reservoir. Lt. Game Warden 2 met me at our boathouse and we took our patrol boat out to inspect the previously sunken boat. We found the boat floating upside down near the area of the accident at approximately 17:30 hours. We determined it to be a hazard to other boaters so we decided to tow it to shore. We were able to tow it to the West boat ramp and tie it off in a safe location just North of the ramp to some rocks on shore. I contacted Operator and let him know where we left the boat. 

Subject notified me the next week that they were abl…


BARDID: KS-2021-0018
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-07-31 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Webster - 8 miles W of Stockto
NearestCityorTown: Stockton
County: Rooks
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday July 31st, 2021, at approximately 1300 hours Vessel 1 operated by V1 Operator was fishing under trolling motor power heading in a NE direction near the rock point breakwater on Webster Reservoir. While Vessel 1 was trolling at a constant speed Vessel 2 operated by V2 Operator was under power heading in a SW direction and did not see Vessel 1, Vessel 2 collided with Vessel 1 on the starboard side of Vessel 1. When contact was made the keel from the trolling motor on vessel 2 made a 14-inch-long gash through the hull on the starboard side of Vessel 1. Vessel 2 damage consisted of a broken keel to its trolling motor. Operator of Vessel 2 did not maintain a proper look out and was issued a Notice to Appear for Negligent Operation.


BARDID: KS-2021-0019
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-08-15 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale - 3 miles NW of Paol
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 15, 2021 at approximately 1115 hours the operator of vessel 1 was crusing near some flooded timber, and struck the vessel's lower unit  against a submerged tree under the surface of the water on Hillsdale Lake.  Vessel 1's damage included a broken skeg, breaking the lower unit from the housing, and breaking the lower unit drive shaft.  Also, vessel 1 began to slowly take in water from the area of the lower unit.  Vessel 1's bilge pump was able to control the water flow.  A vessel separate from the accident was able to tow vessel 1 to the nearest boat ramp, and vessel 1 was able to be trailered.  Photos were taken of the damage to the lower unit after Vessel 1 was pulled from the water.


BARDID: KS-2021-0020
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-08-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Big Hill - 4 1/4 miles E of Ch
NearestCityorTown: Cherryvale
County: Labette
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On August 14, 2021 at approximately 2:45 PM, I, Game Warden (GW) with Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks, received a call by phone from the Labette County Sheriff's Office informing me that a boat was stuck on  Big Hill reservoir just South of Reas bridge on 22000 RD.  I made contact with the reporting party (RP) Passenger 2, by cell phone.  Passenger 2 informed me that himself and his brother, Passenger 1, and father, Operator, had impaled their tritoon on a tree stump that was below the surface and couldn't move off it.  Passenger 2 advised me that two different boats bigger in size than my SeaArk tried to free them but couldn't.
At approximatly 3:40 PM I arrived at the Timber Hill boat ramp to put my boat in the water.  I reached Passenger 2 at aproximately 4:00 PM.  On the boat was his brother Passenger 1 and his dad, the owner/ Operator.  They informed me that the hit the log around 2:00 PM after just putting on the water to go find a fishing spot from the Timber Hill boat ramp up north to the bridge.  While cruising they went through the flooded timber area off the east point south of the bridge. Operator informed me that they were going under 10mph with Passenger 1 on the front of the boat trying to look for debris to miss when they struck the log.  Operator informed me that two different boats stopped by and attempted to help them off and all they did was spin them on the log.  I attempted to help pop their vessel off the log by putting the nose of my boat under Operators and maneuver weight to the back of my vessel.  After no success I took Passenger 2 to their vehicle at the Timber Hill ramp so he could call for a recovery team.  I then went back and picked up Operator and Passenger 1 and brought them to their vehicle after locking the boat up. I informed the Sheriff's Office that the boat would remain out there till recovered.
On August 17, 2021 at approximately 3:20 PM, Operator contacted me by phone and informed me that TOW BOAT USA from Grand Lake Oklahoma came up and lifted the boat off the log by air bags.  I met Operator at the Timber Hill boat ramp and took photographs of the vessel and the damage to it and took down more information from Operator, he had his vessel registration that day.
Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2021-0021
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-06-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry - 18 miles NE of Topeka
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Very Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Strong
Visibility: Poor
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Weather
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentCause3: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 left the Yacht club and traveled south. Vessel 1 operator did not use caution with weather arriving in the area. Vessel one got caught in a fast moving storm with lightning, thunder, and high winds. Due to vessel one being under sail power, when the winds arrised the vessel was pushed towards the slough creek boat ramp. The vessel operator attempted to beach the vessel at the ramp but could not. The operator then was pushed towards Devils Gap boat ramp and the operator beached vessel one along the shore. The vessel''s hull was in contact with rocks underneath the water''s surface and created roughly a foot gash in the port side near the stern. The vessel took on water through the hole and was submerged in the rear. The operator had minimal experience and was not prepared for the weather conditions that occurred on that day.


BARDID: KS-2021-0022
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-08-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale - 3 miles NW of Paol
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Restricted vision
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
On 08/27/2021, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Miami County Dispatch Center received a call that a boat had run into the dam of Hillsdale Lake and dispatched emergency services. Upon my arrival at approximately 10:40 p.m. the vessel had left the scene of the accident and began traveling to the Jayhawk Marina. I located the vessel approximately 100 yards from the marina and instructed the operator to bring the vessel to the personal watercraft (PWC) dock I was standing on. The vessel was noticeably damaged: the windshield was extremely damaged and there was fresh mud on the bow of the boat. Upon the operator, arrived at the PWC dock, EMS arrived and started ensuring the occupants safety. They had several visible injuries to the face and extremities. The occupants were taken to the ambulance where Passenger was medically cleared and released. I asked Passenger several questions about the incident and what lead up to the accident. Passenger told me that they wanted to take a boat ride at night. Upon leaving the marina they traveled southeast along the shore line and that all he remembers. After this encounter I released him to go to Miami County Medical Center to receive stitches on his knee. I then went back to the ambulance to talk to the operator, about what had happened and a serious wound to the inside of his knee was discovered and he was taken to Overland Park Regional for treatment. Several pictures were taken of the accident scene and the vessel.

On 09/01/2021, after being released from the hospital, to interview Operator about the accident. Operator told me that they were staying in the cabins at Jayhawk Marina and wanted to show Passenger how his Livescope worked and that he only intended to stay around the Marina. Upon getting on the vessel they decided that they would take a quick spin around the lake. He said that they were heading towards the dam, when he remembers hitting something. He then stated that he remembers waking up, upside down with his leg through the windshield. Operator then stated that he found Passenger out of the boat in the weeds. Upon arriving at the PWC dock he stated that he didn't remember anything until he arrived at Overland Park Regional.

On 09/01/2021, two citations were issued, one for no PFD''s in the vessel and one for improper display of the numbers on the vessel.

End of Report


BARDID: KS-2021-0023
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-09-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 10:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Melvern - 35 miles S of Topeka
NearestCityorTown: Melvern
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 5th, 2021 at approximately 10:45 AM, I, Game Warden, was dispatched by Osage County Sheriff's Office to be en route to an actively sinking boat near the Pomona Lake Marina. I arrived at the Pomona Lake Marina at approximately 11:04 AM and notified Osage County dispatch. They re-advised me the actively sinking boat was actually at Melvern Lake in Eisenhower State Park located at the East Boat Ramp rental slips. After dispatch updated me, they advised that Park Ranger requested my assistance and I drove my patrol truck to the East Boat Ramp. While driving, I radioed dispatch to see if Park Ranger could call me on my work phone. About 10 to15 seconds later, dispatch told me that the park ranger wants me to call him and gave me his cell phone number. I called Park Ranger and he informed me of the situation and what had happened. I arrived at approximately 11:10 AM where I saw two Osage County deputy patrol cars, one Park Ranger patrol truck, and at least one Melvern Corp Ranger patrol truck. I walked out onto the boat slip where I met all the officers. Park Ranger was the first one to approach me to update me on the situation and introduced me to the vessel owner identified as Owner.

Owner informed me that he had traveled down to the state park on Friday, September 3rd and was fixing the trim around the throttle controls on his boat.  After fixing up the boat, he forgot to put the plug in his boat to keep it afloat. Owner said he put the boat in the water and put it in his rental slip "first thing this morning" on September 5th. He said he received a call at approximately 9:30 AM and another call at approximately 10:45 AM to inform him that his boat was taking on water. After getting the news of his sinking boat, Owner told me that he contacted the Melvern Lake Marina and was told by one of the marina employees that they could not help him since Owner's boat was 23 feet in length. After interviewing Owner, the officers, by-standers, and the owner started conversing about how we were going to get the boat back to the dock or ramp.

We eventually contacted Terry's Tow Service out of Lyndon, Kansas for assistance. The tow service arrived on scene approximately 30 minutes later and were able to connect tow hooks to the swamped vessel and slowly pull it out of the water and onto the boat ramp. The vessel was loaded onto a flatbed tow truck and hauled off to a salvage yard. We opened the boat ramp back up and resumed patrol.


BARDID: KS-2021-0024
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-09-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:37:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Pomona - 25 miles S of Topeka
NearestCityorTown: Vassar
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 6th, 2021, Osage County dispatch received a call at approximately 6:40 p.m. stating that there had been a boating accident at Pomona Reservoir. The caller stated that a 19-year-old male had been hit by a boat and was in the water with a leg and arm injury. The occupants of the boat were able to get the victim into the boat and transported him to the Pomona Marina. Medical and sheriff deputies meet the occupants at the marina. One male was transported to Stormont Vail in Topeka by ambulance at 7:14 p.m.      

Subject1 said that he was on the tube behind the boat with his cousin Subject2. Subject1 said that his girlfriend had been driving the boat for awhile but had complained she was having pain in her hand. At the time Operator took over driving the boat. Subject1 stated that made him uneasy because he did not think Operator knew how to handle the boat. 

Subject1 said that the tube was to the right of the boat and that they were trying to get the rope straightened out, so they were behind the boat. Subject1 said that Operator turned the boat towards them, and he could not get out of the way fast enough. Subject1 said that he felt like he went under the boat and felt like he got hit with a baseball bat when the prop hit him. 

Subject1 said that he was holding onto the tube still and that he tried to use it to shield himself from the boat, but that Subject2 had left go of the tube and Subject1 thought that may have been why Subject2 was injured worse. 

Subject1 stated that medical personnel had checked him out and he did not believe he had a head injury because he passed all the tests. Subject1 had shallow lacerations to the back of his right upper arm and his right calf. Subject1 calf was also visibly swollen and slightly bleeding.    

Girlfriend said they had been using the skier down flag the entire time they were towing because that way it would always be ready in case someone fell in the water. Girlfriend said that a wave hit the boat and Operator lost control of the boat. She had been sitting next to Operator and said she jumped up and shut off the boat, and then they heard Subject2 scream in pain. 

Girlfriend said they wrapped shirts around Subject2 leg and Subject1 drove the boat back into the marina.     Operator stated that she was standing up while operating the boat and believed she was at an idle speed. Operator said she was trying to turn the steering wheel but it would not turn, and that after the vessel hit the victims that girlfriend shut the engine down. Operator said that Subject2 was admitted to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, and that he had a gash on an arm and a broken ankle that required a plate and screws to repair.


BARDID: KS-2021-0025
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-09-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:46:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Council Grove - 1 mile N of Co
NearestCityorTown: Council Grove
County: Morris
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause3: Weather
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
At or about 11:46 on 09/11/2021 Vessel 1 being operated by V1 Operator pulled away from the slip at Council Grove Marina in reverse. V1 Operator placed the pontoon in forward gear and had begun to navigate away from the slip turning the vessel towards the North East. V1 Operator thought she had clearence from vessel 2 which was moored in the slip to the north. V1 Operator said the wind pushed the vessel towards the north as well. The wind was observed from the south on this day. Vessel 1 struck vessel 2 with its starboard aluminum rub rail in a side glancing scrape. Vessel 2 was damaged on the outboard's motor lower end which was in the raised position with the propeller out of the water. The impact removed paint and bent the skeg with a chip of metal missing. 
Two Witnesses described the event in similiar fashion. No injuries were reported.


BARDID: KS-2021-0026
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-09-08 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wyandotte Co. Lake - Leavenwor
NearestCityorTown: Kansas City
County: Wyandotte
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Shift
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 10-09-21 at about 20:20 Hrs. Vessels one and two were tied at the boat ramp at Wyandotte County Lake, Kansas City, Wyandotte County, KS. The operator of Vessel 1, V1 Operator, had tied his vessel off at the courtesy dock leaving his son V1 Passenger with the boat while he went to get the truck and trailer. Vessel 2, operated by V2 Operator was also tied up at the courtesy dock. His mother V2 Passenger was an occupant on the vessel. V2 Operator stated it was dark and Vessel 1 did not have navigation lights on. 
Vessel 2 had untied and was pulling away from the dock at the time of the accident. According to both parties V2 Operator put the vessel in reverse which caused the lower unit of the motor to rise out of the water causing a loss of control. V2 Operator state he observed the motor and ran to the back of the boat to prevent any collision. 
Vessel 1 was still tied to the dock during the time of the accident. Damage to the starboard side of the vessel coincides with vessel 1 being in reverse the motor popping out of the water and striking vessel 1 near the operator''s console. 

V1 Operator had taken his vessel to Shoreline Fiberglass Repair 816-532-8670, 14804 Shamrock Way, Smithville MO, 64089for an estimate to repair. Their estimate was about $6000.


BARDID: KS-2021-0027
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2021-08-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton - 5 miles S of Lawrenc
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Restricted vision
AccidentCause3: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling west bound. Vessel 2 was traveling east bound toward the Clinton Lake Marina. Vessel 1 was traveling approximately 20-30 miles per hour. Vessel 2 noticed a driver that was looking toward the rear of his vessel. The operator and occupants of vessel 2 stopped and begain to yell and wave their arms to get Vessel 1 attention. Vessel 1 continued to travel toward Vessel 2. Before impact one occupant jumped off the starboard side to avoid being hit. Vessel 1 and Vessel 2 failed to navigate to a safe location and prevent the accidcent. Vessel 1 collieded with the right front corner of Vessel 2. Upon impact, Vessel 1 went on top of the bow of vessel 2 over the railing and rested on top of the seat and railing. After exchanging words, operators pushed Vessel 1 off the railing, seat, and bow of vessel 2.  Alcohol was noted as a contributing factor due to a large amount of beer cans in the vessel and a 750ML bottle of fire ball that was 1/4 full.


BARDID: KS-2022-0001
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-03-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Sedgwick
WaterConditions: Rough
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Storm
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Hazardous waters
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator was operating a PWC owned by subject1, on Cheney Reservoir on March 5, 2022.  The winds were very high in that area that day, with sustained winds of approximately 40mph and gusts over 50mph at the time of the accident. OPERATOR stated the following:  OPERATOR was operating the PWC near the middle of the lake north of the center of the dam.  While turning to head back towards the boat ramp a wave hit his PWC from the side and ejected him into the extremely cold water.  

OPERATOR was unable to swim back to his PWC due to the wind and waves.  OPERATOR's friend was on a different PWC and was able to pull him to shore at the dam while OPERATOR held on to Friend's PWC.  OPERATOR was wearing a PFD. The PWC that OPERATOR had been operating was pushed against the rocks of the dam by the wind.  

The rescue crew later used a winch to pull the PWC to the top of the dam.  There was damage to the fiberglass hull and rub rail of the PWC.  It is unknown what damage was caused by the wind pushing it against the dam and what was caused pulling it up the dam.  OPERATOR was transported by EMS to St. Theresa hospital in Wichita, Kansas with symptoms of hypothermia. OPERATOR was later released from the hospital later that day.


BARDID: KS-2022-0002
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-04-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:20:00
CoordinatesConfidence: NC
NameOfBodyOfWater: Winfield City Lake
NearestCityorTown: Winfield
County: Cowley
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Starting in gear
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
GW was contacted by Cowley Dispatch at approximately 1221 hrs on Tuesday, 4262022, about a possible missing boater at Winfield City Lake. Dispatch advised that their RP reported that they found a boat beached on the shore on the north side of the city lake with no one in or around the boat.  

GW then received a phone call from Subject1 who advised that they saw this boat about an hour earlier with a person in the water behind the boat and thought they may have been working on something.  This information was later relayed to GW that when they saw the person in the water behind the boat they thought the person was approximately 15 feet behind the boat.  

An hour later, approximately 1220 hrs is when they found the boat beached on the shore with no one in or around the boat, and immediately called 911 to report.  GW arrived on scene at the north side of city lake and assisted with the search and getting resources enroute to the location.  GW looked at the boat that was beached and found both the motor and trolling motor down in the water not running.  

Fishing poles were laid out all around the boat.  A single type III lifejacket was left wide open on the drivers seat.  The key to the main motor was turned off.  No fishing poles or line appeared to be out or wrapped around any prop.  All indications were that someone in the boat was either ejected or fell overboard. 

 GW assisted with the search using KDWP boat and sonar equipment.  Victim was located on sonar 360 at approximately 1639 hrs in about 9 feet of water approximately half way between where the boat and person was last seen and the final resting spot of the boat.  The victim was located about 30 to 40 yards off shore.  The fire department divers were then able to dive on the location found and were able to locate and recover the victim at approximately 1700 hrs. The victims boat was requested by the family through the Winfield Police Department  to be released to Subject1 and loaded up on the trailer to be removed.  All boats and equipment was then loaded up and all personel cleared the scene at approximately 1830 hrs. Nothing further to report at this time

The key to the engine was off, but the trolling motor was found set on high/intermittent which led us to believe when the trolling motor was turned on it may have thrusted unexpectedly ejecting the operator.


BARDID: KS-2022-0004
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-06-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Pomona Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Lyndon
County: Osage
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with floating object
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 5th, 2022 at approximately 1250 hrs (12:50 pm), I, Game Warden was checking anglers near Carbolyn Park in Osage County when I was dispatched to a jet ski injury accident that occurred on Pomona Lake at Boat Ramp #3 within Pomona State Park. I arrived at the scene at approximately 1306 hrs (1:06 pm) where I met about five Osage County Sheriff deputies, along with the Undersheriff and Sheriff, three Pomona State Park Rangers and the Pomona State Park Manager. I drove in the field where EMS personnel were already providing care for the accident victim. After documenting the victim’s injuries, I was notified the victim’s brother-in-law was present at the scene, so I asked him to step aside to gather additional information.

After the EMS helicopter arrived on scene, me and several EMS personnel carefully carried the victim, who was strapped onto a back board to the EMS helicopter. After victim was safely loaded onto the helicopter, we all stood back and waited until the helicopter took off to the hospital. Approximately five minutes later, I drove down to Boat Ramp #3 where I located Victim’s brother-in-law to do a follow-up interview and to make sure all the information I received was correct. 


BARDID: KS-2022-0005
State: KS
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2022-06-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:10:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Lake Miola
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Engine
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 5, 2022, at approximately 0910 hours a vessel fire occurred on Lake Miola located in Paola, Miami County, Kansas. Vessel 1 had been docked on the lake the night prior to accident by Operator 1. The following morning, Operator 1 went to turn on the ignition and the vessel caught fire with a small explosion in the engine compartment. Operator 1 stated that he had just made some repairs including the starter to the vessel and that the blower ventilation was turned on. Operator 1 stated that he had gotten the starter from another boat with the same motor. The boat was total loss. Nothing further to report.


BARDID: KS-2022-0006
State: KS
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2022-06-11 00:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentCause1: Congested waters
AccidentCause2: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On June 14, 2022 I was contacted regarding a vessel accident that occurred on Wilson Lake at the Minooka Middle Boat Ramp on June 11th. I made contact with subject via a cell phone. Subject informed me that his wife had struck a submerged anchor near where the old courtesy dock was at in Minooka Park Middle Ramp. I told Subject I would be working the accident and we would need to set up a time to look at the vessel.  I responded to the area of the accident on June 15th and took a picture of the object that was submerged in the water. At this time the water level had dropped less than a .5' since the time of the accident and an orange buoy had been placed on it. 

I met with Subject and Subject2 on the 19th of June and looked over the boat involved, The vessel had several scratches located on the keel centerline that came from hitting the submerged object. There was also a gouge in the fiberglass that was close to 10 inches in length located on the keel on the port side of the center line. 

Subject2 was operating the vessel at the time of the accident. I asked her what had occurred and she said she was driving the boat in to the area. The courtesy dock was full of people swimming and the beach area was full so she attempted to use the area where the old courtesy dock was located. I told Subject2 since it was a no wake zone and that close to shore her speed probably wasn't much. She agreed and said her speed was probably close to 2 mph. She said she didn't notice the submerged anchor and there was a passenger up front also watching that didn't see it. Subject2 said once contact was made  a passenger jumped in and tried to keep the boat hitting the object anymore. Once I had all the information from the boat, Subject and Subject2 followed me to the accident location.  I verified with Subject2 what she had struck was what I had taken a picture of earlier in the week. Nothing Further to Report


BARDID: KS-2022-0007
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/02/2022 at approximately 2030 hours, Game Warden for KDWP was notified of an accident that had occurred on Lake Wilson near the Marina. I met with two people in big bluestem campground. Subject1 told me that he was near the marina when he stopped his PWC  and another pwc operated by Operator2 struck his PWC on the port side near the front of the hull causing him to be ejected into the water. He was able to upright his pwc and climb back on. The two parties went separate ways after the incident. 

When I asked if the other PWC slowed down he said it had. I observed some scratching and gouging on the port side of the Operator1' pwc and took photographs. Initially Operator1 believed that there was about $800 in damage. I left the area. I attempted to make contact with subject3 that evening. She contacted me back and said that her son had told her that he bumped into another pwc but that the person he bumped into said that there did not appear to be any damage. 

Registered owner of the pwc operated by operator2 later called me and told me that Operator1 had spoke with him and told him that repairs would cost over $1800. He told me that his PWC was located in a slip in the Marina and that I was more than welcome to go look at it and get any info I needed. When I looked at his PWC I observed some scratching on the bow and starboard had side of the PWC. Operator1 later contacted me and told me that the repairs would cost close to $3000 for a new hull for the PWC he owned.


BARDID: KS-2022-0008
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-07-19 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:27:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Centralia City Lake
NearestCityorTown: Centrailia
County: Nemaha
WaterConditions: Calm
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: People on gunwale, bow, or transom
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling northeast on Centralia Lake on 07/19/2022.  According to Subject, he was going approximately 15 mph and they were heading back to their campsite.  The vessel had a total of six people on board which includes Subject as the captain.  

Subject2 and Subject3 were riding on the bow of the Pontoon boat.  According to Subject, both of the 10 year old females where reaching over the bow and touching the water as the vessel was under way. Both Subject3 and Subject2 had their arms interlocked at the elbow and both were reaching over.  Both of the females on the bow fell into the water at the same time.  Subject did not realize they fell in until he heard a noise like something hit the motor.  

Subject shut the motor off immediately but both females had already been struck with the propeller while it was running.  The two females were brought to shore and EMS was on scene and ready.  Subject3 was sent to a hospital in Onaga, KS and she had a lacerations on her upper arm.  She was treated and released that same evening.  Subject2 was admitted to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka for with lacerations that went up her leg and arm from the propeller.  She also had surgeries for her injuries from the lacerations and broken bones in her ankle and elbow.  

Subject stayed with Deputies so they could finish gathering information from Subject.  Subject was very cooperative with the Nemaha County Sheriff's Office and Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks throughout the investigation.  Vessel 1 did not have any apparent damage and the deputies went through a vessel inspection to check for all safety equipment. END OF REPORT.


BARDID: KS-2022-0009
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-07-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 13:37:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Clinton Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Lawrence
County: Douglas
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Excessive speed
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was heading south bound across Clinton Lake located in Douglas County, Kansas while vessel 2 was following close behind. Both vessels were jumping the wake of the other as they traveled south bound. Vessel 1 was maintaining a constant speed and direction while vessel 2 was weaving behind it. 

Vessel 1 changed direction and speed and vessel 2 collided port stern of vessel 1. Vessel 1 was impacted in the port starboard causing it to yaw to the left. Vessel 2 sustained damage to the front of the vessel. The black rub rail was pulled off and had slight fiberglass cracking through the front. Vessel 1 began to yaw during the impact and was torn in the underside on the port starting at the port starboard side. The tearing in the fiberglass was approximately 3 inches wide running from the stern to mid-section of the vessel. The tearing was in a curved line matching rub marks and bow eye tearing on vessel 2.  

The operator of vessel 2 was thrown from the vessel and sustained a fracture to the femur inside of the hip socket. The operator of vessel 1 sustained small bruising. Both operators were wearing PFD's and both vessels had all the required safety equipment. The operator of vessel 2 was able to get the operator of vessel 1 onto the ski and a bystander was able to transport to Clinton Lake Marina for medical care. The operator of Vessel 1 and Vessel 2 failed to report the boat accident .NOTHING MORE TO REPORT.


BARDID: KS-2022-0010
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-07-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:25:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cheney Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Cheney
County: Reno
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Missing or inadequate navigation aids
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
I was working as a Game Warden for the Kansas Dept. of Wildlife and Parks in Reno County on 7/26/2022. I am reporting an accident that occurred on 7/26/2022 at Cheney Reservoir. I was notified by Reno Co. Dispatch about a boat that was stranded at Cheney Reservoir. 

Due to me being off duty at the time, I was not the responding officer. All information listed in this report was forwarded on by the responding officer (Lt. Game Warden) and/or given to me by the owner of the vessel via phone call. 

On 7/26/2022, Operator and occupants were cruising on Cheney Reservoir at approximately 17:25 hours when they struck a submerged object that damaged his boat. Operator stated they were cruising North bound at approximately 20-25mph when they struck the object. We cannot prove definitively what the object was but we assume it was an unmarked island area known as "Walleye Island". 

Walleye Island is an island located on the NE section of Cheney Reservoir and sits approximately 1-3ft below the water at lake level. Normally the island is marked with "Danger" buoys but none were present due to them being stolen, missing or damaged. 

Lt. told me Operator mentioned to him that they grounded his boat prior to striking the object. Operator told me they had been on the water maybe 15 minutes prior to striking the object. Once they struck the object, the vessel was dead in the water. 

Operator stated there were no other vessels in sight at the time of the accident. Lt. was the responding office that towed Operator and occupants back to shore. After loading the boat, Lt. recorded all the basic information and photographed the boat. The information was passed onto me afterwards. I contacted Operator via cell phone and told him I would be filling out the accident report. I had Operator explain the situation to me and give me any information I had not yet received. 

When asked about damage to the boat, Operator stated the boats prop shaft was completely torn out of the boat but there was no noticeable damage to the keel or anywhere else on the underside of the boat. I asked if any injuries occurred during the accident and he said no. Operator did mention one of the occupants was thrown into the dash area of the boat upon impact. Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2022-0011
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-07-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:28:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 07/09/22 at 1828 hrs. I heard radio traffic of an injury boating accident on Perry Lake.  I responded to the boat ramp that the victim was taken to and arrived at 1846 hrs.  Deputies that were at the scene already helped the victim off the boat and into an ambulance but then allowed the boat to leave without getting any information  The medical crew also said that VICTIM told them he was on a flyboard that was attached to a PWC when he lost his balance and come down on the PWC which caused him to injure his chest and that it occurred in the Party Cove (Slough Creek) area of the lake.  The medical crew said VICTIM was being transported to Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka.  

I then left the boat ramp and got on the patrol boat and drove to Party Cove area to see if I could track down the PWC that was involved but the PWC was not located.  VICTIM was also not able to talk to me at the hospital.   For several days after the accident, I attempted to contact VICTIM so I could complete the accident report, but VICTIM would not return my phone calls.  

On 7/19/22 at 1535 hrs. VICTIM called be back to report the accident but only after he saw on Facebook that KDWP was asking for the public’s help for information about the accident.   VICTIM stated that he was on the flyboard and lost his balance and landed on the PWC.  He also said, with the flyboard attached to the PWC he had control of the direction of travel but the person on the PWC had control of the throttle.  

VICTIM said Subject1 was on the PWC controlling the throttle at the time of his accident.  Subject1 was the registered owner of the PWC.  I later met up with VICTIM and subject1 to talk with them and to take photos of the flyboard and PWC.  The 75’ hose that connects the flyboard to the PWC was not available to be photographed. VICTIM said his injuries consisted of 5 broken ribs on his left side.  The PWC that was involved in the accident was owned by both, SUBJECT1 and VICTIM but it is only registered in SUBJECT1s name.


BARDID: KS-2022-0012
State: KS
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2022-08-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Cedar Valley Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Garnett
County: Anderson
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Person departed vessel
AccidentEvent3: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
AccidentCause2: Failure to vent
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On Saturday, August 13, 2022, at approximately 20:10 hrs, game warden received a call from a deputy with the Anderson County Sheriff's Office. The deputy reported a boat on fire at Cedar Valley Reservoir near Garnett Kansas. The deputy reported that everyone was off the vessel and made it to shore but that two victims had been taken to the Garnett hospital with burns. 

Deputy then called LT to see if there were other wardens to assist. LT   asked Deputy to go to the hospital to try and contact the victims while warden would respond to the lake, with LT   responding later. Deputy went to the Garnett hospital and first met with Subject1. 

Subject1 was the wife/mother of the two victims and was present at the time of the accident. Subject1 said that they were taking the boat out for the first time and had just gassed the boat up before going to the lake. Subject1 said they had backed the boat on the trailer down the ramp and were preparing to unload it into the water. Subject1 said the two victims Husband and Son were already on the boat. 

Subject1 was the one who was in charge of disconnecting the winch hook from the front of the boat to free it from the trailer. Subject1 was at the front of the boat while Husband tried to start the boat. Subject1 said Husband tried to start the boat a couple times without success but kept trying. Subject1 said suddenly the boat was engulfed in flames. 

Subject1 said that Son jumped off the boat into the water and that he was wearing a life jacket. Subject1 said that Husband then also jumped into the water and hit the dock. Subject1 then said she disconnected the winch hook and pushed the boat off the trailer into the water as she was worried the flames would burn the truck. 

Subject1 said that the boat floated out towards the middle of the lake, the visible flames had dwindled but there was a lot of white smoke. Subject1 then said that soon the flames returned and the entire boat was in flames. 

Subject1 then called 911. Deputy asked Subject1 to fill out a voluntary statement form with what happened and she did so. Deputy then went to talk with Husband. Husband was on pain medication and both his arms and legs were wrapped in bandages. Husband also showed some burns on his face and his nose was very red. 

Husband told Deputy what happened and his story was the same as Subject1 except that he claimed the boat was already disconnected from the trailer when it caught fire. Husband also added that he thought the fire started because he had forgot to turn on the exhaust blower. 

Husband said he could smell gas vapors while trying to start the boat. Husband also said that the reason he delayed to jump in the water is that he was looking for Son as he did not know he had already jumped in. Husband said that when he jumped in he struck his face on the boat dock injuring his nose. 

Deputy photographed the injuries to Husband though they were already bandaged. Deputy then went to talk to Son. Son had both legs bandaged but overall appeared less burnt than Husband. Son gave his account of what happened which matched his parent's accounts. Deputy then had to leave the hospital as both victims were getting transported by ambulance to KU med burn unit in Kansas City kansas. 

Deputy then responded to the lake and met an Anderson County fireman who was still on the scene. The fireman said that the boat caught fire at about 18:45 hrs. He said that they used their boat to try to put the fire out with fire extinguishers without much success and that the boat burned to the water line before partially sinking. 

Officer then arrived and the wardens launched their boat. The wardens motored over to the burned boat, it was mostly sunk with just the front end sticking above the water. Deputy was able to find a metal eyelet on the burned boat and attached a rope. The warden then tried to tow the burned boat back to shore but it was too heavy and just ended up sinking. The wardens then tied a buoy to the rope and left it for the night. The next morning Deputy and   returned to the lake. The buoy was no longer attached to the rope and so they used sonar to locate what they believed was the boat sitting on the bottom and marked it with a marker buoy. 

Deputy later talked to a family member who said that both Husband and Son had 1st and 2nd degree burns, and that Husband had a broken nose.  The sunk boat was raised from the bottom of the lake on 08/18/22 by divers, the boat was loaded onto its trailer and then taken to Hillsdale State Park for storage. On 08/31/22 Deputy took closeup photos of the burned engine and then sent them to boating officer who looked over the photos and then also showed them to a boat mechanic at Arnies Boat Sales and Service in Lawrence Kansas. They concluded all the relevent parts appeared to be marine grade and in place but were not able to see the backfire flame arrestor. On 09/07/22 boating officer physically inspected the boat and did find what was most likely the melted remains of the backfire flame arrestor, and so the cause of the fire/explosion was not able to be determined. Nothing further to report at this time.


BARDID: KS-2022-0013
State: KS
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2022-06-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Unknown
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
At approximately 1900 HRS on 6/27/22, vessel 1 reportedly sunk in the Slough Creek arm of Perry Lake. The owner/operator had recently purchased vessel 1 and was believed to have been test driving it at the time. He purchased vessel 1 for his son, who was reportedly on shore when it sunk. A person on another PWC reportedly transported the owner/operator of vessel 1 to the Slough Creek bridge ramp thereafter.


On 7/5/22, operator accompanied me on my patrol boat in an effort to locate his submerged PWC. We observed a possible target approximately 80' from the shoreline of the parking lot at the Slough Creek bridge ramp. On 7/9/22, Lee Summit's dive team attempted to locate/salvage the PWC on Perry Lake but was unable to find it. He indicated he will make an additional attempt to locate/salvage it in the future. He indicated he paid approximately $1500 for the PWC


BARDID: KS-2022-0014
State: KS
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2022-08-01 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Perry Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Perry
County: Jefferson
WaterConditions: Unknown
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was traveling approximately 30-35 mph in the Slough Creek arm on Perry Lake when it hit an undetermined submerged object, causing significant damage to the lower unit on his starboard engine. The submerged object also created a hole near the keel, and vessel 1 began to take on water thereafter. The owner/operator was able to drive vessel 1 to his slip at the Perry Yacht and Marina club. After taking the occupants to their residence, the owner/operator returned to the lake later that evening and discovered vessel 1 had partially sunk in the slip. He reported the incident to Jefferson County Dispatch thereafter.

At approximately 10:25 PM on 8/1/22, Jefferson County dispatch left a message on my cell phone regarding the incident. On 8/18/22, subject accompanied me on my patrol boat, in an effort to determine where the incident occurred on Perry Lake and to attempt to identify what he may have hit with his vessel. We were unable to identify the specific submerged object. We were also unable to determine the exact location. Based on my knowledge and experience, I suspect he hit a submerged tree.


BARDID: KS-2022-0015
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-09-17 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Hillsdale Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Paola
County: Miami
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with submerged object
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: Unseen water hazard
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator 1 was driving vessel 1 west when it struck an unknown object. Vessel 1 was partially submerged but was able to be towed back to shore. There was damage to the entire starboard side of the hull of vessel 1. There are no known submerged trees in the area of impact and no floating debris was located around the accident.


BARDID: KS-2022-0016
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-09-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 23:38:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Gardner City Lake
NearestCityorTown: Gardner
County: Johnson
WaterConditions: Unknown
StrongCurrent: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On September 4, 2022 at 23:38 hours on Gardner Lake, Johnson County, Kansas operator 1 asked passenger 1 (who was sitting beside the operator) if he could operate his boat, a 20' aluminum hull jonboat. After agreeing, Operator 1 immediately engaged the throttle and accelerated the boat in a north/northwest direction. The boat was close to the northern shoreline of the lake between the public dock and the spillway.

Passengers stated the boat was cruising at a speed between 30 to 40 mph prior to running aground between the dock and spillway. Prior to impact, passenger 2 (who was sitting on the bow) remembered making a hand motion for operator 1 to turn away from the shoreline, but the boat collided on some rocks. Passenger 2 was ejected forwarded onto the ground. She was treated at the hospital for a concussion and cuts to her forwards.

Passenger 4 (was sitting near the bow) at the time of impact had her right upper tangled in the anchor rope that was secured to the front boat cleat. After the impact the anchor went to the stern of the boat and the anchor caused severe lacerations into the upper arm of passenger 4. She was treated for her injuries at the hospital, including amputation of her right arm below the injured area. 

The operator had been periodically consuming alcoholic beverages throughout the day while boating on Gardner Lake. After field testing for impairment the operator was taken into custody for boating under influence. The damage to boat consisted of dents, lateral gouges, and paint removal to the aluminum hull. The lower unit was cracked and the shaft was bent and propeller was damaged.


BARDID: KS-2022-0018
State: KS
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2022-09-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: Wilson Reservoir
NearestCityorTown: Dorrance
County: Russell
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On 09/05/2022, at approximately 1500 hours I, Game Warden, was notified of a boat accident that occurred near the Hell Creek Boat Ramp at Wilson Reservoir in Russell County, KS. I responded and found the operator of the vessel. He told me that they were pulling a tube behind their boat which his daughter was riding towards the Hell Creek Cliffs. He said they hit a wake from another vessel and it caused his daughter to fall off the tube. When she surfaced she was complaining about leg pain. They returned to the boat ramp and EMS was called. Russell County EMS transported her to Russell Regional Hospital where they found that she had pulled a muscle. Nothing further at this time.


BARDID: KY-2014-0001
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-05-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 08:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE BARKLEY
NearestCityorTown: EDDYVILLE
County: LYON
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Improper lookout
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
Officer was dispatched to a boating accident on lake barkley on 5-2-14, and was told all parties and vessels were at eddy creek marina. Upon arrival, 4 parties had refused any treatment by lyon county ems. Officer took statements from all and photographed the vessel damage. According to all witnesses and operators, an aluiminum lund was traveling south on lake barkley just south of eddy creek. At the same time a fiberglass skeeter was traveling west out of a bay just south of the lund vessel. Operator of lund stated he saw 2 vessels coming out of bay but did not see the fiberglass vessel strike his. Operator of fiberglass skeeter stated he saw lund right before impact and turned to his left/port side at which point the vessels struck. There was fiberglass damage on the midpoint starboard sidxe of the skeeter just above the water line. The lund had crinkling of the exterior aluminum in the rear port side and just above midpoint on the gunnel of the port side. Lund also had a driver seat broken and port side compartment that would not open. The passenger in the lund vessel had a minor cut on his right hand.


BARDID: KY-2014-0002
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-04-24 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:22:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CUMBERLAND
NearestCityorTown: JAMESTOWN
County: RUSSELL
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Electrical
DayofWeek: Thursday
RedactedNarrative:
On april 26, 2014 at 1222 cst clinton co 911 received a call about a boat on fire near halcombs landing. Local dispatch called Officer1. Officer1 received the call at 1233 cst. Officer1 was on his way to conley bottom at the time of the call. While enroute, post advised Officer1 that the fire had been put out, but Officer1 was still to respond for reporting purposes. Officer1 arrived on scene at 1335 cst. Caller stated that they had launched the boat at halcombs landing and proceeded towards the mouth of beaver and otter creek. Approx 300 yrds from wolf creek dam they noticed and smelled smoke from the aft of the vessel. They immediately shut off the engine. Operator opened the hatch to the engine and smoke bellowed out. He exhausted his fire extinguisher and was able to extinguish the fire. He then called 911. Several people that were fishing on a nearby pontoon gave them a tow back to the ramp. He stated that it smelled like an electrical fire rather than fuel or oil. Officer1 gathered information for the report and assisted them in loading the vessel onto the trailer since the vessel was dead in water. Officer1 left scene at 1549 cst.


BARDID: KY-2014-0003
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-04-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 17:52:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: FARM POND
NearestCityorTown: LEXINGTON
County: FAYETTE
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
CongestedWaters: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper loading
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On saturday 4/6/14 at approx 15:30 subject and his dad subject2 went fishing on a farm pond. They were meeting some people, who arrived about 15-30 mins later. @ approx 17:00, everyone was fishing around the pond from the shoreline at the time and subject2 left to do some chores he had to take care of. This left three people fishing at the pond. 
 
There was a 10' lowes jon boat turned over on the bank with one paddle; subject3 stated to subject that he wanted to take the boat out. Subject3 put the boat on the pond to make sure it didn't take on water and paddled around fishing by himself for 15-20 mins, there were no approved pfds on board. Subject3 paddled to the shore and picked up subject and went back out into the pond to fish. Subject3 was in the back, while subject was sitting up front. At one point subject4 thought she had a big fish so subject3 began to paddle over to her, but it turned out to be a turtle on her line, so they continued fishing. While subject3 and subject were fishing just to the south of the island, subject3 stood up and fell off the boat to the left side. The boat was rocking and subject fell off to the right side, at this point the boat flipped over. 
 
Subject flipped the boat back over and swam to subject3. Subject asked subject3 if he could swim and subject3 gave him a worried look. Subject3 went under several times and subject brought him back up, subject was able to remove subject3 and his shoes. At this point subject4 is seeing this occur from the shore and hears subject shouting. Subject4 ran to her cell phone and called 911 @ 17:52 and continued to observe from the shore. Subject3 was struggling to stay on top of the water, pushing and kicking at subject. At one point subject was able to get subject3 on his back and began swimming towards the shore. Subject did not get very far when subject3 pushed him under and began struggling and panicking again. Subject3 pushed subject away several feet and swallowed water in an attempt to breathe and went under for the last time. Subject dove for subject3 several more times. Subject got into the boat and seen air bubbles and dove to that spot but could not locate subject3. Subject swam to shore to remove more clothing and went back out to continue looking until emergency responders arrived. Rescue was made by lexington fire & rescue @ approx 1845 and transported to uk medical center. Fayette co coroner's office initial ruling is that of an accidental drowning. 

Subject2 and subject have been fishing at this pond dozens of times over the years and subject3 had been out a time or two as well. According to subject2 pounds, the landowner and the farm manager subject2 no one had ever fished from the jon boat prior to this accident. A valid fishing license was not found on file for any of the four individuals, no citations issued.


BARDID: KY-2014-0004
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 12:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: KENTUCKY LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CALVERT CITY
County: MARSHALL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with fixed object
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
KY Vessel 0488XE was backing away from fuel dock at KY Dam Marina while Juvenile Victim hung his left arm/hand over rail of vessel. Juvenile's left hand was caught between the actual fuel dock and the side of the vessel. EMS personnel stated victim suffered a partial amputation of the right index finger. EMS transported Juvenile Victim to Lourdes Hospital in Paducah, Ky. End


BARDID: KY-2014-0005
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-05-26 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:40:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BARREN RIVER LAKE
NearestCityorTown: GLASGOW
County: BARREN
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On 05-26-2014 around 3:00pm I was called to a accident near Goose and Grass Islands on Barren River Lake. When I arrived on scene there was a Barren County Search and Rescue boat and a Corps of Engineers Ranger on the scene. There were a couple of people in the water holding Victim at the surface of the water near the shore line. The boat involved in the accident was occupied with 3 passengers. (KY 0555 FL) Operator was driving the boat, subject was a lookout/passenger and Victim was wake boarding behind the boat. witness was on another boat and just happened to see the accident happen. 
When the boat took off from the stopped position they throttled up to lift Victim out of the water on the wake board. When she got up to the standing position the front of the board caught an edge and it threw her forward head first into the water. When she hit the water she didn't immediately let go of the rope and while the boat was pulling her the board was twisting under the water and she ended up having a compound fracture to her right femur in her upper leg. Victim was taken to Barren River State Park Marina Boat Ramp and put into an ambulance and then she was taken to the end of Barren State Park and put on a Stat Flight helicopter and flown to Vanderbilt Hospital. 
witness flew with Victim in the helicopter and was gone before I could get any personal information from him. I have a contact number and have tried to call him but I have not got a return phone call yet. As soon as I get his information I will relay it to you.


BARDID: KY-2014-0006
State: KY
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2014-05-27 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 06:15:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CAVE RUN LAKE
NearestCityorTown: MOREHEAD
County: ROWAN
WaterConditions: Calm
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: 0
Wind: No wind
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent2: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Hull failure
DayofWeek: Tuesday
RedactedNarrative:
On 5/27/14 0915 officer received a call that subject and his brother had been in a boating accident at bangor boat ramp in rowan co. Officer met both parties at brother's home. Both gave statements that were consistent with each other. They stated that they had launched subject’s bass hawk boat and were in the process of bringing the boat on plane to run up the lake. As operator brought the throttle from idle to about half way they both heard a loud pop from the motor/transom area. They looked at each other and asked, "what was that?" operator attempted to come on plane again and water rushed at them from the front live well area. The boat began to sink in the rear and brother tried to go to the front of the boat to raise the transom area out of the water. They said in a few seconds they were in the water and the boat was floating bow in the air and within a few seconds more it was completely sunk. Both brothers stated that they had not hit a stump or anything floating in the water.


BARDID: KY-2014-0007
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-06-29 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:11:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CAVE RUN LAKE
NearestCityorTown: MOREHEAD
County: ROWAN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Victim was tubing with her brother on Cave Run Lake vicinity of Warix Boat Ramp near main lake. Victim lost her balance and fell from the tube she was riding in while being pulled by a boat her boyfriend owned. The boyfriend stated that he was operating the boat out on the main lake near the Warix boat ramp. Operator stated that he was accelerating when he noticed that Victim had fallen from the tube and was dragged under water for a short time. She was riding in the tube with her brother who stated she was complaining of back and neck pain. Victim was transported via PHI air evacuation from Warix boat ramp to the University of Kentucky where she was evaluated and released the following morning. Victim sustained some swelling and some pulled muscles in her back and was also on crutches as mentioned by her boyfriend. Operator stated that the only two wearing PFDs were Victim and her brother during the tubing incident. Other tuber also stated that no one was under the influence of alcohol during the time of the incident. Three other passengers were on board the boat during the time of the incident. No damage or other injuries were reported.


BARDID: KY-2014-0008
State: KY
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2014-06-11 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 11:45:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAUREL RIVER LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CORBIN
County: WHITLEY
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Sinking
AccidentCause1: Ignition of spilled fuel or vapor
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator launched is vessel at the Grove Marina Ramp. He proceeded east from the marina towards the Hightop Boat Ramp. He stated that he turned the vessel around and began going back toward the west end of the lake. When he went around the bend at the Grove Boat-in Campground, he began to smell something coming from the rear of the vessel. He then stated that he stopped the vessel and went to the rear to investigate. When he lifted the rear hatch where the fuel tank was located, flames began to come from the area. He stated he could not retrieve the fire extinguisher because it was located within the area that was on fire. At that time, he made the decision to jump overboard. He stated that he was in the water for around 10 minutes before someone come by to pick him up. Operator was wearing a PFD when he entered the water. 
Two subjects stated they were riding a jet ski and noticed smoke and flames coming from a boat that afloat. They came closer to the scene and saw Operator in the water. They took Operator on their jet ski and transported him to Grove Marina. 
When I arrived at the scene, I could not find a vessel floating in the area. I was approached by another person in another vessel. He stated that he came upon a vessel that was on fire and watched it for several minutes as it continued to burn. He stated that the vessel finally burned down to near the waterline and sunk.


BARDID: KY-2014-0009
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-06-14 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 18:04:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CUMBERLAND
NearestCityorTown: SOMERSET
County: PULASKI
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Navigation rules violation
AccidentCause2: Sharp turn
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator2 employed by Lee's Ford Marina, was operating a Rinker rental boat for Lee's Ford Marina on Fishing Creek as part of his work duties. He made a turn coming around a point as he was returning back to the dock. A Sea Doo boat operated by operator1 traveling away from the dock area approached boat2 on the left side of the Rinker rental boat. As the Sea Doo boat got close to the Rinker boat the Sea Doo made a sharp right-hand U-turn into the Rinker boat striking boat2 on the right side with the Sea Doo's left side. It is unknown through investigation why Operator1 made such a maneuver. 

Accident occurred on 06-14-2014 at approximately 18:04 hours and wasn't reported until 06-15-2014 at 14:00 hours. 

V1passenger on Sea Doo boat was transported to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital by privately owned vehicle for injuries later that night. Operator1 reported minor injuries but did not seek medical attention. 
Accident was observed by eyewitness.


BARDID: KY-2014-0010
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-05 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:35:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CUMBERLAND
NearestCityorTown: JAMESTOWN
County: RUSSELL
WaterConditions: Rough
StrongCurrent: 0
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
On 7/5/14 operator was operating a 2011 sea doo that was owned by his father. Operator was operating on lake cumberland up in caney creek. According to operator he was attempting to get out of the large wake of another boat. He stated that he was going approx. 30 mph and when he attempted to exit the wake he was thrown from the wave runner. While getting thrown from the wave runner his foot became lodged for a brief period sometime while being ejected from the seat. This in turn caused injury to his foot/ankle. Operator was able to get back on the wave runner and return to his family's houseboat that was a short distance away to get help and call 911. The accident occurred at approx 1930 cst. Officer was dispatched at 1940 and was informed that operator was being transported by family to the wolf creek marina ramp to meet the russell co ems. Officer arrived at the ramp @ 1952 cst and obtained information for initial report. At that time the foot was extremely swollen and operator was unable to put any weight on it. Officer left scene @ 2015 cst.


BARDID: KY-2014-0011
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: CAVE RUN LAKE
NearestCityorTown: MOREHEAD
County: ROWAN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
victim was on Cave Run Lake aboard a pontoon (KY 0577 JX) that her husband had rented from the Marina on July 13th, 2014.  Victim was on the 24ft Solid Craft pontoon that was located around the Twin Knobs Beach area of Cave Run.  According to her husband, the pontoon was stationary and his wife had just applied suntan lotion to her body and was attempting to climb the steps to gain access to the top in order to sunbathe.  According to Operator, his wife was on the second or third step when she fell and struck her face on the floor of the lower portion of the pontoon.  Victim was knocked unconscious for approximately five seconds and was awoken by her husband.  Victim was complaining of pain in her right wrist which later revealed to be broken.  Victim was transported by EMS to Saint Claire Regional Medical Center for evaluation.  The following day I spoke with Operator and he stated that she was in a temporary sling awaiting further evaluation.  I also explained to him over the phone that it was his responsibility to fill out his own boating accident report and submit it to our department for record.  I later examined the steps of the pontoon and noted that the steps were covered with a non-slip surface tape on the steps of the pontoon.  Operator also stated that his wife had consumed approximately two "Mikes Hard Lemonades" that day and did not drink regularly.  There were five other individuals on the pontoon at the time of the accident and no other individuals were injured but one passenger stated that she did see victim fall and her story matched the story provided by Victim's husband.  On July 18th, I contacted Operator to gain further knowledge of his wife and he stated that she was doing well but having outpatient surgery to place pins/screws in her right wrist and that there were no other injuries from the fall to report.


BARDID: KY-2014-0012
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-04 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:59:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: GREEN RIVER LAKE
NearestCityorTown: CAMPBELLSVILLE
County: TAYLOR
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Navigation rules violation
DayofWeek: Friday
RedactedNarrative:
Vessel 1 was facing Northeast on Green River Lake in the vicinity of Emerald Isle Marina.  OPERATOR1 was pulling her husband and daughter on an intertube with a 2008 Tahoe.           
Vessel 2 was traveling Northwest coming from the Idle Speed Zone of Emerald Isle Marina carrying six total passengers, plus towing a juvenile on a wakeboard.  OPERATOR2 suggested that he was traveling an estimated 15 MPH on his 1996 Bayliner.                                          
OPERATOR1 had stopped to allow an unrelated boat to pass due to large wakes and was taking off when her vessel was struck on the starboard side by OPERATOR2, the crossing vessel.  The impact caused OPERATOR1 to become tossed inside her vessel, which resulted in a severe contusion to her back.  It is probable that the contusion came from contact with the railing on the gunnels of her vessel.  OPERATOR1 was transported to Taylor County Hospital by Taylor County EMS, and was later released.
Both OPERATOR1 and OPERATOR2 slowed their speed in an attempt to avoid a collision.  OPERATOR1'S vessel received a large crack (approx. 2 feet long) on the starboard side.  OPERATOR2'S vessel received minor damage on the bow.


BARDID: KY-2014-0013
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-06-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: OHIO RIVER
NearestCityorTown: FOSTER
County: BRACKEN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Falls overboard
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On june 22, 2014 at approximately 1530hrs victim fell over board of his boat that was operated by his friend and was struck by the propeller receiving a large cut on his right leg below his knee. Victim’s son was on board with a friend they helped get him back in the boat and applied general first aid while transporting him to foster boat ramp to meet the ems. victim was then transported by bracken county ems to a landing zone where air evac 89 transported him to u.c. medical center. THE ACCIDENT WOULD MOST LIKELY BE ATTRIBUTED TO INATTENTION.


BARDID: KY-2014-0014
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-06-22 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 02:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: KY LAKE
NearestCityorTown: DRAFFENVILLE
County: MARSHALL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
AccidentCause3: Excessive speed
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
On 6-22-2014 I was dispatched to Birmingham Point Campground for a hit and run vessel accident. Operator1 was the owner/operator of vessel 1. Vessel 1 was on the trailer at time of my arrival. Operator1 and his 3 passengers were present and stated that they had minor cuts from the glass and did not need treatment or EMS. I took statements from all 4 at that time and took digital photographs at that time. Operator1 stated to me that his vessel was drifting with occupants swimming in the water before the collision. Operator1 stated that he had all his navigation lights on at the time and also had his docking lights turned on as well. Operator1 stated that a vessel was coming at a high rate of speed toward him and he yelled at the vessel and his passengers. Operator1 stated himself and passengers jumped out of vessel before vessel 2 struck his vessel in the starboard side. Operator1 stated that himself and other passengers got into vessel 2. Operator1 stated that vessel 2 towed vessel 1 to the ramp at Birmingham Point Campground. Operator1 stated that he told the 4 occupants in vessel that he was calling law enforcement to report the accident. Operator1 stated that the operator of vessel 2 then turned his navigation lights off and left in the direction of Moors Marina. There was significant damage to vessel 1. The floor in vessel 1 was broken and buckled, the driver console suffered major damage, the entire upper cap of vessel had been dislodged, the starboard side of hull had multiple punctures and tears. 

On 6-22-2014 at 0922 hours, I received a voicemail from Operator2 stating that he had been the operator of a pontoon vessel that had a collision near Moors Marina around 0230 hours. I contacted Operator2 later and arranged to meet with him at his residence on 6-25-2014 at 1900 hours. Officer and myself met with Operator2 on that date and time. I took pictures of vessel 2 on the boat lift at Operator2s residence. It had substantial damage to forward portion of all 3 pontoons that was very similar in width and height to markings on vessel 1. Operator2 stated that he was operating vessel 2 toward the mouth of the bay and saw heads of people in the water moments before his vessel struck vessel 1. Operator2 stated that vessel 1 did not have any lights on. Operator2 stated that he towed vessel 1 to the boat ramp at Birmingham Point and then returned to his dock to check his pontoons to see if they were taking on water. Operator2 stated he did not call any law enforcement because he was having an anxiety attack all night and had passed out. Operator2 stated he did not know why his passengers did not call for him any medical treatment or report the accident to law enforcement. Operator2 gave me the contact information for the other 3 passengers in his vessel. 

At this time, the report is incomplete. Follow up interviews and statements will be done of the 3 occupants in vessel 2. Included in this report is a diagram, not to scale, of the area and position of vessels at time of impact according to operators of vessel 1 and 2. Also included are 21 digital photographs that have not been digitally altered.


BARDID: KY-2014-0015
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-07 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 16:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CUMBERLAND
NearestCityorTown: SOMERSET
County: PULASKI
WaterConditions: Choppy
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Falls overboard
AccidentCause1: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Monday
RedactedNarrative:
On July 7, 2014 at 16:00 hours, operator1 was operating a SEADOO PWC in the Fishing Creek area of Lake Cumberland. The family was heading south to the main lake area when they began to have mechanical issues with their Crownline Runabout. After trying to diagnose the problem they gave up and decided to tow it back to Lee's Ford Marina and dock it at their slip. 

Subjects were on their houseboat overseeing everything and keeping an eye on their children. Operator2 had got on another SEADOO PWC and hooked a tow line to the Crownline Runabout. After securing the line to both vessel's, he changed direction heading back up Fishing Creek to Lee's Ford Marina. About 20 ft. of tow line was extended out during tow. 

Operator1 was on her PWC operating circles around the two vessels in tow, helping oversee the operation. Operator1 had circled around from the starboard side to the front of Operator2's PWC heading over to his port side and then heading back towards the vessel being towed. She had looked away for a few seconds and accidentally turned into the direction between the two vessels. When she realized what was going on, she let off the throttle on the PWC killing the power of maneuverability. She drove straight into the tow line close lining her around the chest region. The impact with the line caused her to flip backwards off the PWC and into the water. Before hitting the water her right forearm made contact with the back of the PWC, sustaining injury. 

Subject pulled her daughter from the water to make sure she was ok. Swelling and bruising began to build up in her forearm giving visual clues of it being broke. Subject called Lee’s Ford Marina and had them to call 911 for an ambulance. I received the call from dispatch at 16:17 hours and was told to meet the victim at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. I arrived at the hospital at 16:34 hours. When the victim arrived, I collected information and waited around to see the status of her arm. The ER Doctor stated the X-rays showed no brakes or fractures in her forearm. Injuries sustained were just tissue swelling and bruising. I wished the victim the best and advised her to stay safe; I cleared the scene at 18:33 hours.


BARDID: KY-2014-0016
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-06 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:03:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CUMBERLAND
NearestCityorTown: JAMESTOWN
County: RUSSELL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Skier mishap
AccidentCause1: Other
OtherAccidentCause: passenger/skier behavior
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
victim was wake boarding behind a 21ft bayliner that was being operated by his father.  victim fell and was struck by the wake board in the back of his head, causing a large cut.  He was transported by ems to russell co hospital, where he was treated for his injury.


BARDID: KY-2014-0017
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 15:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE HERRINGTON
NearestCityorTown: LANCASTER
County: GARRARD
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Throttle
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
While drifting outside the no wake buoys, between Paradise and Herrington Marinas, Vessel (1) One was struck in the right side by Vessel (2) two. Vessel (2) two operator was traveling from the Herrington Lake Marina toward Paradise Marina. Vessel (2) two operator stated that as he attempted to turn and avoid Vessel (1) one the throttle of his PWC became stuck in the engaged position. Prior to impact the passenger of Vessel (1) one jumped from vessel to avoid impact. The operator of Vessel (1) one was thrown approximately 10 foot following direct impact with his right ankle and thigh. Both the operator and the passenger of Vessel (2) two reported that no injuries were received. Damages to vessels were as follows: Vessel (2) no reported damages, Vessel (1) damage to right side (see attached photos). The owner of Vessel (2) advised that he was out of town, and the vessel was being operated without permission. Owner of Vessel (2) further advised that the vessel has had no known malfunctions of the throttle either prior to this incident, or following. This accident occurred at 1500 hours and was not reported until 2124. Operator of Vessel (1) one was transported by POV to St. Joseph Of Jessamine on the following day, 07-10-14, where he was treated for deep tissue bruising to the right thigh, muscular strains, and injuries to the right ankle. No other injuries or property damages were reported incident to this accident.


BARDID: KY-2014-0018
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-06-28 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 22:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CUMBERLAND
NearestCityorTown: JAMESTOWN
County: RUSSELL
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Collision with recreational vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by vessel
AccidentEvent3: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Alcohol
AccidentCause3: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Saturday
RedactedNarrative:
The following is a summary of interview of the operator of vessel # 1. According to Operator1 he and his crew left Grider Hill Marina enroute to the Jamestown Marina. They were being followed by two other vessels, all friends of Operator1.  They all wished to follow Operator1 because it was a dark night and they were unfamiliar with Lake Cumberland. Operator1 stated they were cruising along when he saw something in front of him; he could not tell what it was. He cut hard to the right struck it, and was thrown into the water after impact. Passenger from v1 was complaining of pain and being injured. Operator1 stated that he then saw the engine of vessel #2 on fire. He stated that was the first time he saw vessel #2. He also stated that after getting V1 occupant out of the water and on to his boat and attending to the other injured he noticed that the lights on vessel #2 were on.  
 
 
The following is a summary of the statement of the operator of vessel #2. their crew were traveling from Grider Hill Marina to the Jamestown Marina. When they decided to stop to take a bathroom break, the engine of the boat was shut off. V2 victim stepped to the rear of the vessel near the swim deck and ladder. V2 victim after relieving himself said that three boats were coming up behind them and that they are going to get close, he then yelled that they are going to hit us get down. One of the boats hit us, striking V2 victim and causing our engine to catch fire. V2 victim was knocked into the water and we could not find him. Subject put the engine fire out and jumped in the water and helped rescue V2 victim. V2 victim was put on one of the other boats and taken to the marina. We called 911 and ask who hit us they, the other boats wouldn’t say who hit us but I could tell that most of them were drunk. We had our navigation and our LED interior lights on.

Operator1 tested .15%on the P.B.T.. He also stated that he had not had anything to drink since the collision.

Two of the occupants on vessel #1 were according to them standing up and moving around in the front of the vessel just to and at impact. This could have blocked the view of the operator. The operator of vessel #1 Operator1 was in my opinion and at the time of the collision under the influence of alcoholic beverage.

All of the other occupants of vessel # 1 according to their statements never saw vessel #2 prior to impact, they report that vessel #2 did not have navigation lights on. The occupants and operators of the two vessels following vessel #1 all report not seeing vessel #2 prior to being struck by vessel #1 and only then after the engine caught fire.

All of the occupants and the operator of vessel #2 adamantly state that the navigation as well as the interior and led lights of vessel #2 were on prior to and at impact.


BARDID: KY-2014-0019
State: KY
AVesselLoss: -1
Date: 2014-07-02 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 09:00:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: BARREN RIVER LAKE
NearestCityorTown: SCOTTSVILLE
County: ALLEN
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Fire/explosion (non-fuel)
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentCause1: Machinery failure
MachineryFailure: Electrical
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator and occupant were fishing on Barren River Lake in the Browns Ford area about 0900 cst on July the 2nd.  While fishing they noticed the front depth finder was going on and off and not working properly.  When Operator who was fishing from the back deck lifted the door to the battery and electrical system compartment flames came out of the compartment.  They were able to get close to shore and get out of the boat.  They attempted to call 911, but did not have cell service in this location.  A nearby fisherman saw the flames and smoke and came over to assist.  The individual was unknown and had to travel up the lake to also get cell service to call 911.  The Allen County Rescue Squad was dispatched and extinguished the flames from the boat and transported the individuals to the boat ramp.  The Army Corps of Engineers were also on scene and secured the boat so that it would not drift out into the channel or become a hazard.

The Army Corps of Engineers contacted me at 1117 cst and advised me what had happened.  They stated that they would email me the information when they had received the contact information of the boat owner.  I received on July the 3rd the information for Operator.

I was able to meet with Operator on the 6th of July to get the information needed to start the boating accident report.  He did not have the registration paperwork with him and he advised he would call me with that information.  On July the 9th I followed up by phone to get the Kentucky registration numbers from Operator.  He was going to get the numbers from the boat, but both numbers were burned to bad to identify.  The registration papers were in the boat and burned and not able to use.  I went too the Allen County Clerks Office and was able to get the print out of the registration on July the 11th for the report.


BARDID: KY-2014-0020
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-09 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 20:30:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ROUGH RIVER LAKE
NearestCityorTown: HARDINSBURG
County: BRECKINRIDGE
WaterConditions: Calm
Wind: Light
Visibility: Fair
AccidentEvent1: Fall in vessel
AccidentEvent2: Grounding
AccidentCause1: Force of wake/wave
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Wednesday
RedactedNarrative:
Operator stated that him and three other were all on the vessel. Operator was the operator, and made the statement that he had six beers all day, two others were located in the cabin of the vessel and subject was being towed on a tube behind the vessel. Operator hit a wake which threw him to the floor, he then could not get control of the vessel and hit the bank. Officer and I then interviewed tuber (statement also attached) stated that he was on the tube being pulled, saw a pontoon go in front of Operator's vessel, he was then thrown from the tube and looked up to see the vessel go up onto the embankment. Subject1 stated that she was in the cabin and didn't see what happened. Officer and I then asked each person involved if there were any injuries to which they stated they all were fine and no injuries were sustained.
After Officer and I performed all the interviews we realized that all four of these individuals were at the boat ramp when we heard the loud argument, and none of the three individuals admitted to being in a boating accident when first confronted, and didn’t know who the lady was when we first talked to them.


BARDID: KY-2014-0021
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-13 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 14:37:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: ROUGH RIVER LAKE
NearestCityorTown: MCDANIELS
County: BRECKINRIDGE
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: 0
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Light
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Person ejected from vessel
AccidentEvent2: Person struck by propeller
AccidentCause1: Operator inexperience
AccidentCause2: Force of wake/wave
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Once evaluated by medical staff, I asked permission to speak with Victim.  She was alert, although in moderate pain, she calmly recanted how she was injured.  She stated she was operating a jet ski and had circled a pontoon boat operated by her father.  She was attempting to splash water on her family onboard the pontoon, as she approached the pontoon from the port side coming toward the bow, she intended to cut the jet ski and drive water onto the pontoon.  As she began her sharp turn the jet ski caught a wave and ejected her from the vessel.  She was tossed into the path of the pontoon boat and ultimately struck by the pontoons prop. 
the pontoons operator stated he immediately turned off the motor of the pontoon as he realized what had occurred.  He then went into the water to assist his daughter; he was able to re-board the pontoon with his daughter.  They then headed toward the marina to seek medical assistance.   

Pontoon operator stated his daughter had some experience operating a jet ski, but not a great deal.  Victim conferred the same during her interview.    It was noted Victim did not have a boater education certification as required by KRS 235:285(7)(b).  However, I chose not to issue a citation at this time.     

 She had numerous lacerations to her left buttocks, thigh and lower leg, consistent with strikes from a motor boat prop.


BARDID: KY-2014-0022
State: KY
AVesselLoss: 0
Date: 2014-07-20 00:00:00
Time: 1899-12-30 19:20:00
NameOfBodyOfWater: LAKE CUMBERLAND
NearestCityorTown: JAMESTOWN
County: RUSSELL
WaterConditions: Choppy
StrongCurrent: -1
HazardousWaters: -1
Wind: Moderate
Visibility: Good
AccidentEvent1: Grounding
AccidentEvent2: Flooding/swamping
AccidentEvent3: Fall in vessel
AccidentCause1: Improper lookout
AccidentCause2: Operator inattention
DayofWeek: Sunday
RedactedNarrative:
Subject advised she was looking for a place to beach the houseboat she was traveling with, when she failed to see the marker buoy's that was marking an island that was covered up when the lake level was raised in the spring. The drive unit and rudder of the vessel was damaged extensively from the impact and the vessel was taking on water when officer  and I arrived. The operator was the only person in the boat at the time of the accident and received injuries to the face and head from the impact of the dash of the vessel. Operator was taken to Jamestown Marina and transported to Russell County Hospital by Russell County EMS for observation and treatment of her injuries.


