On June 7th, 2009, I,  received a radio call from South Region Enforcement at approximately 2:30 pm.   South Region indicated to me that a boating/skiing accident victim was en route from Patoka Reservoir to Jasper Memorial Hospital.

I told South Region, I was en route to Jasper Memorial from Patoka Reservoir.  

I arrived at Jasper Memorial at approximately 2:45 pm.  I was met by Witness 1 and her fourteen year old son Victim 1.  Victim 1 was complaining of severe back pain. Victim 1 was on a backboard in the emergency room with head and neck restrains.  Victim 1 was transported to Jasper Memorial by Orange County EMS.

Witness 1 told me that her husband, Operator, was operating their Bryant Runabout motorboat.  Witness 1 and her other son were observing, while Victim 1 was in the water on a knee board. Victim 1 and Witness 1 both indicated to me that Victim 1's knee board dug into the water sending Victim 1 face first into the water.

Witness 1 stated that the fall did not look out of the ordinary.  When the boat circled around to pick-up Victim 1, Victim 1 complained of severe pain in his back.  Victim 1's father jumped in the water and lifted Victim 1 back into the watercraft.

There were met at the boat ramp by Orange County EMS, who transported Victim 1 to Jasper Memorial.

Witness 1 indicated that they launched from South Ramp at approximately noon. Witness 1 indicated that the accident happened somewhere just west of Newton/Steward Ramp.

I made contact with Witness 1 around ten pm Sunday night.  Witness 1 stated to me that Victim 1 had hyper-extended his back.  Victim 1 was given some muscle relaxer and pain medication and released from the hospital.
Frech Lick                    