VESSEL 1, NC 3669 DN, WAS HEADED SOUTHWEST ON SOUTH HYCO LAKE NEAR THE HWY 57 BRIDGE.  victim WAS BEING TOWED BY VESSEL 1 ON A SURFBOARD.  VICTIM WAS HOLDING ON TO A TOW ROPE TIED TO VESSEL 1.  HIS RIGHT HAND WAS HOLDING ONTO THE HANDLE.  VICTIM WAS UNABLE TO RECALL IF HIS LEFT HAND WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE ROPE OR NOT.  WHILE SURFING ABOUT 2.5 FEET BEHIND VESSEL 1, VICTIM LOST HIS BALANCE AND FELL OFF HIS BOARD.  WHILE FALLING, HE RELEASED THE TOW ROPE.  AFTER SURFACING, VICTIM FELT LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH HIS HAND.  HE SOON NOTICED THAT HIS LEFT THUMB WAS SEVERED OFF AS A RESULT OF THE FALL.  VICTIM CALLED FOR HELP AND OTHER PASSENGERS ON VESSEL 1 HELPED HIM GET BACK ON THE BOAT.  HE APPLIED DIRECT PRESSURE TO HIS INJURY WHILE HIS MOTHER DROVE THE BOAT TO THEIR RESIDENCE.  FROM THERE, THEY DROVE TO PERSON COUNTY HOSPITAL WHERE MYSELF AND SGT SPOKE WITH HIM LATER THAT NIGHT.  LOOKING BACK, VICTIM IS UNSURE EXACTLY THE POSITION HIS LEFT HAND WAS ON THE TOW ROPE OR EVEN IF IT WAS ON THE TOW ROPE AT ALL.  VICTIM BELIEVES THE ROPE FULLY EXTENDED WITH GREAT PRESSURE WHEN HE FELL, MAKING CONTACT WITH HIS THUMB AND CUTTING IT OFF.  NO CHARAGES WERE FILED IN THIS MATTER. NO FURTHER AT THIS TIME.
SEMORA                        