All damage estimates are based on field operations or owner statements and are not intended for insurance or restitution purposes.

On Saturday May 29 2010 at approximately 13:25 Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) Officers were dispatched to a boating accident involving two Personal Watercrafts (PWC’s) with an injury reported.  We arrived at Skyview Campground’s boat ramp at approximately 13:40 and located the two PWC’s involved in the accident.  Those involved in the accident including family members were in route to Bristol Regional Medical Center where a subject was being transported with injuries.

Boating officer arrived at Bristol Regional Medical Center to gather statements from witnesses of the accident.  Officer advised that victim was being held in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) with injuries that included five broken ribs on the left side, a punctured left lung, an abrasion to the left knee and an abrasion on the forehead. Officer spoke with Operator2, who was the operator of one of the PWC’s involved in the accident.  Operator2 was uninjured and was the operator of the vessel #2.   The injured individual, victim, was the operator of vessel # 1.  Operator2 stated he and his brother, victim, were the sole operators of two PWC’s at the time of the accident.  He also stated they were riding in circles when they collided with each other and were both ejected.   

victim stated he was riding in circles and did not see his brother at the time of impact. Vessel #1 and Vessel #2 collided with vessel#2 striking victim in the left side. Both operators were ejected upon impact.  Operators of a nearby vessel heard the commotion and assisted with getting the injured, victim, aboard.  The assisting vessel transported victim to nearby Painter Creek Marina where he was then taken to Bristol Regional Medical Center via ambulance.  Vessel #1 and vessel #2 were then driven to Skyview Campground’s boat ramp by an unknown party where they were left unattended.

Both operators involved in the collision were wearing type III pfd’s during the incident.  Vessel #1 obtained damage to the front-left and left side of the PWC.  Vessel #2 obtained damage to the front-left side of the PWC.  The PWC’s involved in the accident were impounded at a Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency controlled facility to be used as part of the investigation.  victim was released from hospital treatment on Sunday June 6, 2010.
BRISTOL                       