Operator1 was operating V1, with one person as a passenger. V1 was a rental PWC from Wet and Wild Motorsports, Bullhead City, Arizona. Operator1 launched V1 from the beach just upriver (North) of the Edgewater Casino Northern Dock on the Colorado River, in Laughlin, Nevada. V1 experienced engine starting problems and drifted with the river current towards the Edgewater Casino Northern Dock. A water taxi operator on the Colorado River was yelling at V1 to get away from the dock. Operator1 jumped into the water in an attempt to push V1 away from the northern dock. Operator1 was successful in pushing V1 East, towards the center of the river, away from the Edgewater Casino Northern Dock.

     Operator1 was unable to push V1 far enough into the river to avoid the water taxi "Rio Bell" (V2) that was anchored to the Edgewater Casino Southern Dock. V1 was pinned by the current to the bow of V2. The bow of V1 was facing West, towards the Edgewater Casino. V2 was unoccupied at the time. Operator1 was hanging onto the bow of V1, while still in the water. Operator1 grabbed the dock shoe for support. V1 then capsized due to the current, ejecting Occupant. Occupant floated down V2''s starboard side with the current. Occupant swam into shore just downriver of the Edgewater Casino Southern Dock, at the Colorado Belle Casino Beach. V1 went underneath V2 and was pinned upside down between V2''s port side and the Edgewater Casino Southern Dock.

     Captain had docked his water taxi at the Edgewater Casino Nothern Dock and made his way, via land, to the Edgewater Casino Southern Dock. Water taxi captain assisted Operator1 onto the bow of V2. Water taxi captain stated that Operator1 was able to put his foot on the dock shoe and assist in leveraging himself out of the water. Operator1 was breathing and talking when Water taxi captain assisted him out of the water. Operator1 was left lying on the bow of V2 as Water taxi captain ran to get assistance from security at the Edgewater Casino.

    Occupant ran from the Colorado Belle Casino Beach to the Edgewater Casino Southern Dock to assist Operator1. Operator1 was already out of the water and was lying on the southern dock.  Occupant began CPR and did not stop until medical personnel arrived. Medical personnel, Clark Country Fire Department, continued CPR and began additional medical treatment. Medical personnel transported Operator1 to Western Arizona Regional Medical Center (WARMC) in Bullhead City, Arizona. Operator1 was pronounced dead at WARMC. The Mohave County Arizona Medical Examiner found Operator1''s death to be consistent with natural causes.

Laughlin                      