This report completed by indiana conservation officer. On 7-17-13 i responded to a report of an injury boat accident at patoka reservoir involving two personal water craft. The one injured person was treated by ems and then transported to the hospital. Information was gathered and a report was completed. 

on 7/18/13 at approximately 1430 hrs i was notified of a boat accident that had occurred on patoka reservoir. Information given was that two personal water craft had collided and that there were multiple injuries. It was also stated that the injured were being transported to the patoka lake marina docks. I responded to the marina and arrived at approximately 1445hrs along with first.  

An injured male was lying on the deck of a pontoon boat (in6234br). As i began to question what happened i identified operator2 as the operator of one of the pwc's. Operator2 stated he was operating a pwc and that his friend, the injured male later identified as victim, had been operating one of the two pwc's when the two pwc's collided causing injury to victim. Operator2 stated that he and victim were picked up out of the water after the collision by a passing pontoon boat and transported to their current location at the marina. 

Operator2 stated that he and victim were the only two persons involved in the accident. Operator2 also stated that the pwc's were still adrift at the location of the accident. Operator2 also stated that he and victim were friends and that they had been riding the two pwc most of the day. Victim was treated by first responders and crawford county ems. Victim had a large amount of blood coming from his nose and mouth area. Victim was loaded on a back board and transported by ambulance to meet with the air ambulance (air evac 92). Victim was conscious but in obvious pain and had some breathing discomfort. I was not able to talk to victim at that time due to his injuries. Victim was transported by air ambulance to univirsity of louisvile hopspital in louisvile kentucky. 

I talked more to operator2 to try to ascertain what had occurred. Operator2 stated that he was following behind victim at approximately 35mph when victim suddenly did a 180 and stopped his pwc. Operator2 stated he was unable to stop and attempted to turn to the right to avoid collision with victim but was unable to avoid colliding with victim's pwc. Operator2 stated his pwc slid up the bow of victim's pwc and the rear of his pwc struck victim. Operator2 stated the collision knocked victim off his pwc and into the water. Operator2 stated both he and victim were wearing personal flotation devices. I did locate and inspected the two pfd's. Operator2 stated that he was able assist victim from the water onto his pwc and that victim was bleeding profusely from his nose and mouth area. Operator2 stated that he was then able to flag down a passing pontoon boat that transported them to the marina. While talking to operator2 i noticed a faint smell of alcohol. I asked operator2 if he had drank any alcohol today and he stated yes. Operator2 stated he had drank three beers during the last couple of hours. I completed field sobriety test including horizontal gaze nastagmus, the finger count and administered a portable breath test which gave a reading of .04 at 1502hrs. Operator2's balance and coordination seemed normal and he passed the fst's. I was able to locate the two pwc's that had been involved in the accident. They were washed ashore near the small craft launch bay just off the main channel of patoka reservoir. I was able to photograph and inspect the pwc'. In4357dg had visible damage to the console and front lid area. In4355dg had no visible damage.
Birdseye