On 07/05/2011, Operator2 was operating a 1998 yamaha wave runner, model gp760v, with passenger onboard, on big long lake, on the northwest end of the lake.  Operator2 stated he was traveling southwest at a speed of approximately 45 miles per hour.  At the same time, Operator1 was leaving the dock of his father's residence, operating a 1994 yamaha wave runner, model wv700s, traveling south-southeast.  Operator1 stated that there was a fishing boat to his right and he saw a pwc coming west around the lily pads.  Operator1 stated there was plenty of room and he accelerated to a speed of approximately 30-35 miles per hour.  Operator1 stated he gave plenty of room to the fishing boat and heard the motor noise of a pwc on his left.  Operator1 looked over, saw he was in the path of the oncoming pwc and tried to turn the pwc and roll "hard right".  When he did this, the left underside of his pwc became exposed.  Operator2 attempted to maneuver his pwc, by turning to the south.  The mid-starboard side of Operator2's pwc impacted the rear port underside of Operator1s pwc.  Operator2's pwc then spun around impacted Operator1's pwc again.  

Both operators and Operator2's passenger were ejected from the pwc's.  the passenger on Operator2's pwc was thrown head first into the left side of Operator1's back.  Operator2 estimated he was thrown approximately 30' from his pwc.  When Operator1 was thrown from his machine, he resurfaced and tended to Operator2 passenger, who was unresponsive at the time.  Operator1's fiancee witnessed the accident from Operator1's father's residence and her and Operator1's father immediately took a boat to the accident scene.  Operator2 passenger was loaded into the boat and taken back to shore.  Both pwc's sustained heavy damage but were operable and taken back to shore.  Operator2 passenger was transported privately to parkview hospital in lagrange, were she was treated for a concussion.  Operator1 did not receive medical attention, but did complain of pain to his lower left leg and the left side of his back, with bruising in each location.  Operator2 was not injured and complained of no pain, but did have a small scratch on his right leg, below the knee.  Both pwc's were damaged extensively, with cracks through both hulls.  Both operators stated that sun glare restricted visibility at the time of the accident.  No charges filed as a result of this accident.  All subjects were wearing pfd's and alcohol was not a factor.

LaGrange                      