On Wednesday, July 4, 2012, just before 5:29 PM, a personal watercraft collided with a recreational motorboat on Buffalo Springs Lake.  Eight (8) people were involved, four (4) sustained injuries.

Vessel 1 was a 1999 Kawasaki 1100STX personal watercraft, red in color, with Texas Registration number TX 1117 JE and Hull Identification Number KAW13231K899.  The vessel belongs to an individual who was not present at the time of the accident.

Vessel 2 was a 1983 Bayliner Capri outboard motorboat, tan and white in color, with Texas Registration Number TX 2393 BH and Hull Identification Number BLIJ75CR06833.  The vessel belongs to an individual who was not present at the time of the accident.

On Wednesday, July 4, 2012, just before 5:29 pm, Operator1 was driving Vessel 1 and Operator2 was driving Vessel 2 around the east side (also known as the fast side) of Buffalo Springs Lake.  Operator1 had two passengers onboard the vessel.  Operator2 had two passengers onboard the vessel, and two passengers being pulled in a tube behind the vessel.

Operator2 was heading west operating Vessel 2 in a wavy pattern, typical of pulling tubes, and was beginning a wide turn to the left.  Operator1 was heading north/northwest operating Vessel 1 in a semi-perpendicular course to Operator2 to the left of Vessel 2.  Both vessels were on plane.  As Vessel 2 began its turn, Vessel 1 continued in the same direction.

Operator1 stated Vessel 2 suddenly appeared just before the collision.  She tried to steer around the back end of the vessel to avoid a collision, unaware of the tube being pulled by Vessel 2.  V2 occupant was sitting on the back left corner of Vessel 2 watching the tubers and was unaware of Vessel 1 until the collision.

Operator1, and two passengers were thrown from the personal watercraft.  Operator1 stated she was thrown over the handlebars and landed next to the motor of Vessel 2.  V2 occupant jumped from Vessel 2 after the collision and started to swim toward the two tubers to make sure they were okay.  Another V2 occupant also jumped into the water from Vessel 2 to assist with those in the water.

V2 occupant was picked up by another personal watercraft and taken to another vessel for transport.  He stated his right ribs were hurting.  Operator1, and two occupants were brought on board the Game Warden vessel to transport to shore.  Operator1 was in a lot of pain, any movements hurt her right shoulder and right leg near the hip.  The other two on V1 had abrasions and contusions on their right arms.  EMTs had to cut Operator1’s life jacket off prior to treatment.

All injured were transported to shore where they were treated by EMTs and Operator1 and V1 occupant were transported to University Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, by ambulance, and V2 occupant was transported to Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Texas, by ambulance. Another V1 occupant refused treatment beyond first aid.

University Medical Center ran blood tests on Operator1 at 6:47 pm on July 4, 2012.  Alcohol levels were 10 mg/dL (0.01 BAC).

All operators and passengers were wearing Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices.

Game Warden are the investigating officers.

Charges Pending
LUBBOCK                       