On Sunday, September 18, 2011 at approximately 16:06 hours, operator was operating a 1989 20 foot Sylvan pontoon boat on Cherokee Lake.  Onboard the vessel was occupant1, age 43, who was seated on the left side of the vessel; occupant2, age 7, riding on or near the front deck; occupant3, age 11, riding on or near the front deck; occupant4, age 11, riding on or near the front deck; and occupant5, age 12, being towed behind the vessel on an innertube.

According to operator and occupant1, the children were riding near the front of the vessel but not outside of the open gate on the front deck.  Occupant1 stated that Occupant4 must have went out the front but she did not see him.  Operator and Occupant1 both stated that they were looking back at the passenger on the innertube when the boat hit a wave.  Operator and Occupant1 stated that they felt the boat hit something and when the victim came out at the rear of the vessel he was screaming.  Occupant1 stated that the engine stopped and she dove into the water to help the victim, as did the passenger on the inner tube.  

An unidentified third party towed the pontoon boat back to the boat ramp at Cherokee Dam.  

Officer responded to the scene and upon his arrival, the emergency medical and rescue personnel were already gone.  

The victim was transported to Jefferson memorial Hospital by the Jefferson County EMS.  

The victim sustained two parallel lacerations to his left lower leg which appear to be caused by the vessels propeller.  

Further investigation is being conducted.

JEFFERSON CITY                