On Saturday July 21, 2012, at around 12:00 p.m., I, Officer, along with FWC Officer, responded to a single vessel boating accident involving injuries. The accident occurred in Okeechobee County on the Kissimmee River, approximately seven miles north of the S-65 Lock structure. At approximately 12:30 p.m., we arrived at the S-65 access road boat ramp and met with an acquaintance of the victim and was the only witness to the accident. I conducted an interview with Acquaintance and he provided me with a written statement (see attachment). He said that he and five other PWC riders, including Operator, were traveling northbound on the river just south of Avon Park. He stated that Operator was the first PWC leading the group. He said that Operator made a sweeping left-hand turn and seemed to be losing control of his PWC. He said that Operator continued to ride onto the river bank, which caused the PWC to roll over on top of him. Acquaintance noticed that Operator had been injured and rendered first aid. Acquaintance said that he and the other riders called 911 and helped Operator back to the boat ramp, where he was met by Highlands County Emergency Medical Services. Operator was transported to Florida Hospital in Lake Placid for treatment prior to our arrival.
  At around 3:00 p.m., I attempted to conduct an interview with the victim while he was at the hospital in Lake Placid, but it was not possible. Hospital personnel advised that Operator had sustained head and neck injuries and was in the process of being airlifted to Tampa General Hospital for additional treatment. Operator was not able to be interviewed for several weeks.
  On Saturday August 18, 2012, at around 4:30 p.m., I met with Operator at his residence in Lake Placid. I conducted an interview regarding the accident and received a written statement (see attachment). Operator stated that he was riding his PWC into a blind corner on the river and taking the corner wide. He said that he looked behind him to check on his friends and then turned around and saw that he was approaching the shore. He said that he tried to throttle out of the turn, but ran out of water. He stated that he hit the shore at approximately a 45 degree angle and was ejected from his PWC.
  Based on evidence present at the accident scene and the written statements I received, I issued Operator a Uniform Boating Citation for violating Navigational Rule #5 regarding proper Look-out.
  Nothing further.
Operator sustained the following injuries: Fracture of the C-4 vertebrae. Scalp avulsion. Broken nose. Laceration on right forearm. Concussion.

OKEECHOBEE                    