V1 Operator stated he had purchased V1 earlier that day and they wanted to take it out.  After they launched, they headed south toward the end of the lake and once there turned around and headed back north.  He said V1 was on plane and suddenly they struck something that brought them to a stop.  This threw everything in V1 forward including the victim who was ejected over the bow of V1.  He stated he felt V1 run over the victim and when he saw him floating face down in the water he jumped in to help.  When he jumped in, he forgot to take the motor out of gear and V1 began circling them.  Luckily it was moving slowly and the operator was able to drag the victim over to V1; the victim was able to grab and hold onto V1.  At this time he swam to the rear of V1 and used his feet to turn the motor and steer V1 toward the bank where he was able to call 911 for help.
 
During the interview, when asked the operator admitted to not wearing the kill switch.  Also, as we were standing on the shore, I noticed another vessel operating on the lake and as it passed it struck a submerged object and came to a stop.  After a few minutes the vessel traveled on. V1 operator stated that was the same spot where their incident occurred.
 
Upon inspection of V1, the interior was in disarray, the kill switch lanyard was disconnected from the kill switch and the end that connects to the operator was wired to the ignition key for the motor.  The prop had two blades that were bent back almost to the hub.
HOLLY GROVE