On May 31, 2013 at approximately 1930hrs two PWC's collided in Kingsley Lake at Camp Blanding National Guard Training Facility. The two PWC's were running on full plane at approximately 35-40 MPH parallel to each other. Both PWC's made a quick turn towards each other and were unable to correct there direction before colliding. The collision was a side to side impact ejecting one operator who impacted the other PWC. The operator sustained serious injuries from the impact.  The victim was airlifted to Shands Hospital in Gainesville FL. where he was admitted into the Trauma Unit. 

AT - CRASH 
     According to witnesses both operators had been making tight "S" turns and circles. At some point both operators made a quick turn towards each other and were unable to correct direction to avoid collision. The impact was a forward mid-ship side to side collision. Operator1 was ejected from his PWC and his body impacted Operator2's PWC.

POST - CRASH
After the collision, Operator1 was unconscious in the water and Operator2 remained seated on his PWC. Operator2 exited his PWC and swam to Operator1 to assist. Operator2 stated that Operator1 was not breathing and blue in the face. A vessel saw the two in the water and could see Operator2 holding Operator1 and calling for help. Good samaritan went to their aid and helped load Operator1 into his vessel. Good samaritan stated that Operator1 was not breathing and blue in the face. Good samaritan had his son call 911. On the way back to shore, Operator2 began CPR on Operator1. At some point Operator1 began breathing on his own. E.M.T.'s arrived and prepared Operator1 to be airlifted to Shands Hospital in Gainesville FL.

INVESTIGATION
Operator2 stated that this was the first day he has operated a PWC. He advised that they were side by side headed towards the middle of the lake. He said that they both made a turn and ended up colliding. Operator2 stated that Operator1 came off his PWC and struck him and his PWC. I did not notice any signs of alcohol or impairment while interviewing Operator2. I inspected the two PWC's and had Officer take photographs. The damage was consistent with the collision that Operator2 and witnesses stated. FWC Officer went to Shands Hospital Gainesville FL. to follow up on the operator of V1. Officer advised that Operator1 (operator V1) was in critical condition. The hospital did a medical blood draw and his preliminary blood alcohol was .115.  Operator1 sustained many injuries resulting from the accident including broken ribs, ruptured spleen, bruised kidney, and Lung issues.
     On June 07, 2013 FWC Investigator went to Shands Hospital Gainesville to obtain a statement from Operator1. Inv. advised that Operator1 did not remember the accident and could not recall any details leading up to the accident. Operator1 advised the investigator that he had approximately 30 - 40 hours experience on a PWC. He also stated that this was the first time operating a PWC in Florida. At the time of the interview Operator1 was listed in stable condition and expected to recover from injuries.

CONCLUSION
     V1 and V2 departed from the shoreline area at a high rate of speed. Both operators (V1-Operator1, V2-Operator2) were inexperienced on water jet personnel water craft (PWC). V1 and V2 were operating in close proximity to each other performing tight turns and circles. At some point, the paths of the two vessels put them into a collision course and the operators were unable to avoid the collision. V1 struck V2 port side to starboard side forward mid-ship. Operator Operator1 was ejected from V1 and collided with V2 sustaining serious bodily injuries. V2 sustained the majority of the damage, con
MIDDLEBURG