On May 15, 2010 at approximately 10:14am, Vessel 1 collided with Vessel 2 causing the operator and passenger in Vessel 2 to be ejected.  Vessel 1 was traveling up lake in a north east direction and vessel 2 was traveling down lake in a south west direction.  Vessel 1 came out of three fingers cove and took a left headed for Skull Cove.  

Vessel 1 was hugging the north bank waiting for boat traffic to clear to cross the lake and started making the left turn to go around Point 2.  Vessel 2 came out of a cove to the east of Lone Point boat ramp and headed straight for Point 2.  Vessel 2 operator saw Vessel 1 just prior to impact and made a hard right turn.  Vessel 1 then made a hard left just prior to impact.  Vessel 1 struck the port side stern area of Vessel 2 while making a left trun, rode down the port side of Vessel 2 and slide off the side.

Both the operator and passenger in Vessel 2 were ejected into the water.  Prior to being ejected, the passenger in Vessel 2 was struck on the head by the prop and/or skeg of Vessel 1 causing a severe head injury.  The operator of Vessel 2 sustained a back injury and had a large bump on his head.  The operator of Vessel 1 sustained broken ribs and a collapsed right lung making breathing difficult.  The passenger of Vessel 1 sustained a minor wrist injury and tailbone pain.  All subjects were taken to Shelby Memorial Hospital.  The operator of Vessel 2 remained at Shelbyville and the passenger was air-lifted to Springfield Memorial Hospital.  The operator of Vessel 1 was air-lifted to Carle Hospital in Urbana and the passenger was treated and released.  

After the impact, Vessel 2 remained engaged, going in circles and pushing on Vessel 1.  The passenger in Vessel 1 climbed onto Vessel 2 and turned the engine off.  Both boats were towed to the shore of Point 2 by other boaters.  The operator and passenger of Vessel 2 were assisted by others boaters in the area and transported to the Lone Point (LP) boat ramp to receive medical care.  The operator of Vessel 1 was also assisted by boaters in the area, along with dive team personnel, and transported to LP boat ramp.  The passenger of Vessel 1 was transported to the LP boat ramp by Conservation Police Officer.  Further investigation is pending and a supplemental report will be generated at a later date.  Photographs of the vessels were taken and a cd was created.  End of report.
Findlay                       