I was contacted by towns county dispatch in reference to a pwc that had caught fire at at the usfs boat ramp at lake chatuge camp ground. I arrived at the scene and observed a blue pwc (ga 0906 kn) with extensive fire damage from front cowl to the rear of the pwc. The seat was lying on its side and was melted. A pair of melted jumper cables were attached to the battery and the cable was melted into the side of the seat approx. 2 inches. I spoke to the operators brother who was there to transport the pwc back to their resident. I videoed the pwc and completed the information from the boat incident form. I went to the chatuge regional hospital and interviewed the operator. Operator stated that he had filled the pwc up with gas on the way to the boat ramp. After launching the pwc from the trailer the pwc would not start and Operator attached a pair of jumper cables from his truck battery to the battery in the pwc. After letting the battery charge Operator was standing beside the pwc on the left side and subject was standing beside the pwc on the right side when Operator touched the start button on the handle bar the pwc exploded into flames causing burns to the right arm and face operator. subject suffered burns to the face & forehead and both victims were treated at chatuge regional hospital.
HIAWASSEE                     