Two couples and their five children were returning from a day of fishing in their 22' Bluewave outboard.  While navigating through the narrow J-Hook area back towards Port O'Connor, the boat operator mistakenly took the narrow channel about 10 feet too far over and ran hard aground while on plane.

This threw one 12 year-old over the bow, who got a 3" laceration above her right knee.  One of the children's mothers received a severe 6" laceration below her left knee.  Each of these lacerations were likely to due to contact with the trolling motor, which was stowed on the forward deck.  One eight year old female passenger also received a laceration with hematoma beneath her right eye.  At the hospital it was discovered that she had a fractured cheek bone.

All of these injured individuals were picked up by a passing good Samaritan, taken to Port O'Connor, then transported by Calhoun County EMS to Citizen's Memorial Hospital in Victoria.  The operator had a laceration on his nose and it did not require stitches.  Two other of the children complained of pain at their feet and ankles and are seeking medical treatment on their own.

All children 12 and under were apparently wearing PFDs.  PFDs were available to the adults onboard.  The captain reported navigating this channel 50-60 times.  No alcohol was detected; no alcohol containers were found upon an examination of the boat.  The boat ran fine subsequent to being ungrounded.

Port O'Connor                 