operator WAS DRIVING THE VESSEL IN BANKS CHANNEL NEAR TOPSAIL ISLAND.  HER HUSBAND WAS ASSISTING HER.  THERE WERE TRAVELING SOUTH BOUND AT ABOUT 20 MPH (15 KNOTS).  WHILE CRUISING, THE VESSEL RAN AGROUND ON A SHOAL NEAR CHANNEL MARKER #2.  AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT 6 PEOPLE WERE UP ON DECK AND 4 INCLUDING THE VICTIM WERE IN THE CABIN.  WHEN THE VESSEL RAN AGROUND IT CAME TO A DEAD STOP VERY QUICKLY.  ALL THE PASSENGERS WERE THROWN FORWARD.  IN THE CABIN, A TABLE CAME LOSE FROM THE FLOOR.  THE VICTIM WAS THROWN UNDER THIS TABLE AND THE TABLE IN TURN CAME BACK DOWN ON TOP OF HER.  THIS CAUSED A 1-2 INCH SCREW TO PENETRATE THE VICTIM'S HEAD BEHIND THE EAR.  SHORTLY AFTER THE ACCIDENT, A GOOD SAMARITAN WHO HAPPENED TO BE AN ER SURGEION ASSISTED THE PASSENGERS AND VICTIM.  THE VICTIM, AN 8 MONTH OLD WHITE FEMALE, WAS AIR LIFTED TO NEW HANOVER REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND THEN LATER UNC CHAPEL HILL.  THE VICTIM IS STABLE AND IN GOOD CONDITION.  SHE WAS RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL THE NEXT DAY.  SHE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY LONG TERM INJURIES.

THE OPERATOR AND HER HUSBAND HAD NOT BEEN IN BANKS CHANNEL VERY MUCH.  THIS WAS THEIR FORTH TIME OPERATING THE VESSEL IN THIS AREA.  THE TIDE WAS OUT DURING THE TIME OF OPERATION.  THE SHOAL THEY HIT DOES PROTRUDE INTO THE CHANNEL SOmeWHAT AND IS RATHER LARGE.  THERE WAS NO ALCOHOL OR DRUGS INVOLVED.

TOPSAIL BEACH                 