According to the operator, Operator and his girlfriend were riding a pwc they had rented on ocracoke island.  Operator stated that the guide had mentioned to them about a sandbar where sand dollars are often collected.  Operator observed a female standing in the water near this location and she appeared to be picking up shells.  While approaching location, Operator cut his pwc engine off.  The momentum from Operator's pwc continued forward causing the pwc to collide with bystander while she was standing in the water.  Bystander had rented a pwc as well.  At the time of the collision, bystander was standing in the water beside her rented pwc, while her eight year old daughter was sitting on it.  Bystander was crushed between Operator's pwc and her pwc.  After the collision Operator and his companion asked bystander if she was okay.  Bystander stated she was sore.  The pwc guide, who witnessed the accident, stated that Operator killed his engine approximately 20 yards from bystander.  Witness estimated his speed between 15 and 20 mph.  At the time of the collision he estimated Operator's speed between 10-15 mph.  As bystander and her daughter started heading back to the rental company, the effects from the collision became noticeable to bystander.  She had to have her eight year old daughter take control of the pwc due to the onset of injuries sustained in the collision.  Bystander and her daughter returned to the dock where she collapsed once she got off the pwc.  The guide contacted ems.  East care (helicopter) transported bystander to vidant medical center in greenville where she was treated for a fractured rib.  subject spoke with bystander at vidant medical center and she said the pwc rental company advised them to stay at least 200 feet apart during operation.  The use of alcohol and drugs did not contribute to this accident.  All persons involved were wearing a pfd at the time of the accident.  Operator was charged with operating a pwc on the waters of the state in a reckless manner.  General statute 75a-10(a) causing injury to bystander.

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Please note:  this accident involved only 1 pwc that hit an individual while the individual was standing in the water looking for shells.  The individual's pwc was not involved in this accident.

HYDE                          