On 04/15/12 a vessel accident occurred when V1 a 17' center console turned sharply to avoid a collision with a stalled PWC and the two subjects, off the PWC, that were in the water.  V1 was operated by a white male.  V1 had two other occupants. 
Operator turned V1 sharply to starboard to avoid a collision.  The two occupants were ejected over the port side aft of the centerline of V1 and the boat continued to circle until it had struck them both.

PRE-ACCIDENT (Collision) - V1 was heading west in the Caloosahatchee River from the Labelle boat ramp.  V1 then shortly after noticed a PWC spun out in front of him with persons in the water. Upon seeing the subjects in the water, Operator of V1 cut the wheel hard to starboard to avoid a collision.  This abrupt turn caused all persons on board to slide to the left. The port chime caught on the water, operator and occupant 1 to be ejected over the port side.  Occupant 2 was wedged between the console and the port gunwale.


ACCIDENT (Collision) - V1 continued in a starboard turn without anyone at the controls.  The hull struck occupant 1 in the back of head and the prop put 4 lacerations into her right thigh.  V1 Continued on in a starboard turn with the motor striking the operator in the right leg causing a fracture to the femur and tibia as well as several lacerations.

 
POST ACCIDENT (Collision) -   Operator of V1 grabbed occupant 1 and helped her stay afloat as they worked to the north shoreline.  Occupant 2 freed herself from the console and got the vessel to stop.  Operator 1 was loaded on to one of the PWCs in the area and taken to meet EMS at the Labelle Boat Ramp.  Occupant 1 was loaded into V1 and also taken back to the Labelle Boat Ramp to meet EMS. 


	CONCLUSIONS

Based on evidence and information gathered to date, seeing a stalled PWC and persons in the water, V1 turned abruptly to starboard.  Operator of  V1 was not wearing a kill switch for the motor so after the ejections V1 continued to circle striking operator and occupant 1 until brought under control by occupant 2.






LA BELLE                      