vessel 1"Aqua Sport" was in motion picking up people in the water. While attempting to come aboard the vessel, swimmer 1/victim suffered lacerations to both inner thighs. Vessel was in gear at that time

I then spoke with subject about the events that occurred. Operator stated that, he was towing Victim and Tuber2 on a tube. Both subjects had fallen off the tube and he turned the vessel around to pick them up. When approaching both subjects in the water, Operator stated that he thought he had put the vessel into neutral. When Victim approached the vessel to get on board, Operator heard him scream loudly. Operator then shut the vessel off and ran to the rear to help the victim. After seeing the lacerations on the victim's thighs, Operator pulled the subject on board the vessel and called for help. Tuber2 also boarded the vessel at that time. 
After questioning Operator further, he stated that even though he thought the shifting lever was in the neutral position it had not been. The shifting lever was in the reverse position causing victim to be sucked into the propeller of the vessel. Which is the reason Victim received a laceration to each thigh.
	After speaking with Tuber2 about the events, his story closely matched Operator's account of the situation. Both Operator and Tuber2 stated they were going to be enroute to the hospital to see the victim. I advised the subjects I would meet them there so they could sign a sworn written statement. Upon my arrival at the hospital, the victim's parents along with Tuber2 and Operator were seated in a waiting room. Both Tuber2 and Operator signed sworn written statements. I spoke with victims parents briefly and provided them with a blank sworn written statement. I explained when Victim was feeling better, to have him fill out the statement and I would pick it up. 
	On 08/07/12 I received a call from the victim's mother. She stated Victim had completed the statement and I could pick it up. After I arrived at the hospital, I met with Victim and his mother. Victim provided me with the statement and gave a brief explanation of the events that took place. His story also closely matched the information I received from Tuber2 and Operator. Victim was in good health, he received several stitches to both left and right thighs. He is expected to make a full recovery. 


HOLIDAY                       