On 8-10-10 at approximately 12:40 PM, I was notified by ISP of a personal injury boat accident that had occured on the Illinois River near Morris, IL and the injured persons were enroute to Morris Hospital.  I arrived at Morris Hospital at approximately 1:15 PM and spoke with the driver of the watercraft.  

The operator advised me that he, his wife, and their three grandchildren were on the boat. He stated he was letting one of his grandchildren (age 6) have his hand on top of his own while on the tiller steer.  the grandchild pulled the tiller steer toward him (for unknown reasons), which caused the watercraft to bank hard to the starboard side, ejecting two people (age 55) and (age 4) on the port side.  the 55-year old was struck by the propeller causing a series of lacerations on her right arm and the four-year old hit a portion of the watercraft causing minor scratches and bruises to her face and a small cut on the back of her head.

the operator was able to pull both subjects into the boat and called 911 after returning to the Stratton Park boat launch.  Morris EMS transported both victims.

At the time of my departure from the hospital the 55-year old was in surgery.  Enforcement action pending investigation.
Morris                        