AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 AM ON 5/6/11, VESSEL 1 WAS TRAVELING TOWARD LAKE NORMAN MARINA IN THE MTN CREEK AREA OF LAKE NORMAN.  THE OPERATOR WAS EJECTED FROM THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND THROWN THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD WHEN THE VESSEL STRUCK A WAKE OF ANOTHER BOAT WHILE MAKING A TURN.  VESSEL 1 CONTINUED IN A CIRCLE AT FULL SPEED WITH NO ONE ON BOARD.  VESSEL 1 TRAVELLED ONE COMPLETE CIRCLE AND STRUCK Operator IN THE WATER.  Operator WAS PULLED FROM THE WATER BY THREE FRIENDS THAT WERE IN ANOTHER BOAT AND RUSHED HIM TO LAKE NORMAN MARINA WHERE EMS PERSONNEL ARRIVED A SHORT TIME LATER.  Operator WAS AIRLIFTED TO CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER WHERE HE WAS TREATED FOR PROP CUTS TO BOTH LEGS AND HIS HAND.  Operator LOST HIS LEFT Leg BELOW THE KNEE AND HAD SEVERAL SURGERIES ON HIS RIGHT LEG AND HIS HAND.  Operator WAS NOT WEARING A PFD AND NO ALCOHOL WAS INVOLVED.  NO CHARGES WERE FILED.
SHERRILLS FORD                