On december 1, 2012, approximately 12:40pm, a boat accident occurred on hyco lake in person county, nc.  The accident happened in the southern portion of hyco lake between the concord  church rd bridge and the semora rd bridge.  And occupied with one passenger was participating in a local fishing tournament and was in the midst of traveling to a different fishing location.  Operator1 said that as he came around the bend of the lake, he saw vessel two, occupied twice with the operator and owner., and his passenger to his starboard side ahead of him.  Operator1 stopped the boat to get himself a pack of crackers.  As Operator1 proceeded down the lake and got up on plane going approximately 45-50mph he said he lost sight of vessel two.  The last time Operator1 said he saw vessel two was right before he struck the vessel and he did not have enough time to stop so he throttled up to try and clear vessel two.
 
Operator2, operator of vessel two, said he was idling/drifting along looking at his fish finder.  vessel two passenger, said he looked up and saw vessel one approaching them at approximately 100 feet and said "i hope they see us".  At approximatley 30 feet v2 occupant said to Operator2 repeatedly to hit reverse! It was at this time vessel one struck vessel two on the port side mid-ship and going over top of vessel two and coming to a rest on the other side in the water.  Vessel one traveled back around to vessel two and upon arrival noticed that Operator2 was unconscious for approximately one or two minutes.  Operator2 of vessel two has no recollection of the accident and complained of back pain.  V2 occupant of vessel two also complained of back pain.  Vessel one put the passengers of vessel two in their boat and towed vessel two back to the boat dock.
 
Ems was dispatched and took both Operator2 and v2 occupant of vessel two to person county hospital.  Both the passengers of vessel one had no complaints of injury.  Both the passengers of vessel two were released from the hospital later that day both having minor back injuries and Operator2 having a concussion.  There is extensive damage to vessel two on the port side and console.  Vessel one had damage to the prop and propeller but the boat was still able to operate smoothly.an off duty wildlife officer, master officer, was nearby when the boats arrived at the dock.  He collected the contact information and initial statements from the occupants of vessel one.  He was unable to make contact with the occupants of vessel two.  Officers went to Operator1's residence.  They interviewed the occupants and had Operator1 complete mb 4.1.  They also met with Operator2, interviewed him, and had him to complete mb 4.1.
 
After reviewing the evidence and the statements of all witnesses, it is reasonable to believe that this collision was caused a lack of visibility caused by the geography of the area.  Neither party was at fault per se.  At this time no charges are filed against either party. 
 


ROXBORO                       