once medical treatment was refused, we were able to locate the sunken boat approximately ten feet off the east side of the wabash river (gps-deg.-min. W 87  25.947', n 39  57.345').  The boat was inverted and the only visible portion of the boat was the propeller of the motor.  
 once back at their vehicle, i spoke with operator.  I asked operator how his boat sunk.  Operator explained that he and occupant1 and occupant2 had been bow fishing from the bow of his 1996 sixteen foot polar craft dakota aluminum jon boat (hin- plr14314e696).  Operator stated at approximately 1935 hours, he was maneuvering the boat down river with a trolling motor mounted on the bow of the boat.  While maneuvering the boat down river approximately ten foot off the east bank of the wabash river, he noticed an overhanging limb protruding out over the river.  In an attempt to avoid striking the overhanging limb, operator maneuvered the bow of the boat to the west (toward the navigable portion of the river).  After the bow of the boat cleared the overhanging limb, operator explained an elevated mounted generator located on the stern of the boat struck the overhanging tree limb which jolted the boat.  This resulted in occupant1 being thrown over the bow of the boat and into the river.  After occupant1 was thrown into the river, the bow of the boat became submerged and the boat began to sink.  Operator explained once he realized the boat was sinking, he and occupant2 abandoned the boat and swam to shore.  Occupant1 was also able to swim to shore.  Once on shore, operator, occupant1 and occupant2 were able to crawl up the bank and call for help.  I asked operator if they were wearing life jackets.  Operator explained they were not.  However, operator stated they did have life jackets aboard the boat.
    after speaking with operator, i spoke with occupant1.  Occupant1 explained he along with operator and occupant2 were standing on the bow of the boat bow fishing.  Occupant1 stated operator maneuvered the boat around and overhanging limb, however, the mounted generator on the stern of the boat impacted the overhanging limb.  After the impact, occupant1 stated he was thrown forward off the bow of the boat.  Occupant1 explained after he was thrown into the water, he was able to grab the trolling motor.  Occupant1 stated operator and occupant2 tried to pull him out of the water, however, the bow of the boat began to sink.  Once they realized the boat was sinking all three individuals swam to shore and called for help.  I asked occupant1 how long it took for the boat to sink.  Occupant1 stated less than a minute.  I asked occupant1 if he was wearing a life jacket.  Occupant1 stated, "no".  After speaking with occupant1, i spoke with occupant2.  Occupant2 confirmed operator and occupant1's account of the incident.
   at this time, the 1996 sixteen foot polar craft dakota aluminum jon boat has been recovered and removed from the wabash river.
Kingman