Vessel 1, with three persons associated with the vessel (two on board and one in the water), was anchored in the "Party Cove" area of Chippewa Lake.  The two Occupants on board Vessel 1 noticed another person (the Victim) in the water nearby and having trouble standing.  The Victim was invited onto Vessel 1 for his own safety and in order to provide him with a ride to shore.  The Victim successfully climbed the ladder into Vessel 1, however, once on board Vessel 1 he swayed, loosing his balance.  The Victim grabbed onto the roof support, slipped, then grabbed the rails for the slide on the port bow; the port rail on the slide failed and the Victim subsequently fell, striking his head on the deck.  One of the Occupants on board Vessel 1 then called for the third Occupant (in the water) who in turn reboarded Vessel 1, pulled anchor, and drove Vessel 1 to the dock.  The Occupants called 911 while en route to the dock and were met by an ambulance which transported the Victim to the community hospital for care.  The Victim was subsequently flown to Akron General Hospital for treatment of a subdural hematoma.  The Victim's BAC level upon arrival at Akron General was .369.  The Victim was treated and released and charges were filed for disorderly conduct on the Victim. 

On July 20, 2011 Watercraft was notified that the Victim had been flown again for treatment and later passed away.  The Medical Examiner ruled the Victim's death as complications of subdermal hematoma as a result of the fall on Vessel 1.

Gloria Glens Park             