Victim was being towed on a kneeboard in a straight line direction at approximately 20 mph.  He crossed the wake created by the towing boat, took a hard fall in the water, and immediately complained of extreme lower back pain.  Boat owner/operator called 911, at which time EMT and Law Enforcement was dispatched.  Victim was loaded onto the boat by the owner/operator and other people onboard, and remained offshore in shallow water for emergency personnel to arrive at the scene.  EMS immobilized victim on backboard and transported him to the local hospital for medical treatment.  Medical imaging at the hospital indicated that the victim had suffered an Anterior Compression Fracture of the 1st Lumbar Vertebrae.  Victim was admitted to the hospital for futher evaluation and observation.
St Charles                    