On 5/27/13, a 16 foot vessel operating on high rock lake by operator was stopped for a safety inspection.  Operator told the inspecting wildlife officers that while pulling his friend, tuber, on a tube, tuber fell off and pulled his shoulder out of joint.  Operator stated that an ambulance was called and tuber was transported to the hospital for medical treatment.  The inspecting officers advised operator that a boat accident report would need to be completed and directed operator to the boat access area where i was waiting.
I interviewed the operator of the vessel at dutch second creek access area at approximately 5:00pm.  The water conditions were choppy due to high boat activity.  The weather was clear and calm with an ambient air temperature of 80 degrees.  Operator stated that the accident occurred at approximately 2:00pm.  Operator advised that as he was pulling his friend, tuber on a tube, the tube hit a wake/choppy water causing tuber to be ejected.  Operator stated that his vessel had just transitioned from plowing to planing as the incident occurred.  Operator advised that he was traveling between ten and 20 mph; therefore, speed was not a factor.  Tuber was wearing a serviceable type iii pfd at the time of the incident.  Also, during the course of my investigation, i concluded that neither drugs nor alcohol were a factor in the incident.  In conclusion, i believe choppy water due to high boat activity caused tuber to be ejected from the tube resulting in a shoulder injury.
SALISBURY