Skier indicated he was skiing while his 15 year old niece Operator was operating the boat.  Operator had two friend''s in the boat, 15 year old and 15 year old Victim.  Skier indicated they came around the island and Operator was distracted, talking with her friends.  Skier indicated when he realized the boat was headed toward the shore, he yelled and let go of the ski rope.  Operator cranked the wheel to miss the shore but the boat ran aground.  Victim, who was riding in the bow of the boat, was ejected from the front of the boat.  Operator and Occupant2 remained in the boat.  Skier swam for shore to assist Victim.  Victim was unconscious and had some scratches on her left arm from a tree limb she hit.  Skier had the other girls call 911.  The ambulance arrived followed by Ford County Sheriff Doran and Iroquois County Deputy.  Victim was transported to Carle Hospital in Urbana by Gibson area ambulance personnel.  Ambulance personnel stated Skier did relay information to them regarding the accident and injuries sustained by the victim, i.e., unconsciousness.  Personnel also indicated Victim requested Operator to accompany her in the ambulance.  Skier stayed with Occupant2 who was also examined by ambulance personnel but refused treatment.  

I asked Skier if Operator had ever operated the boat.  He indicated she had, at least a dozen times or so on Lake Iroquois.  I asked Skier if anyone on the boat had any alcohol to drink.  He indicated no one did.  He stated he did drink on the boat when he had friends with him but never when the kids were with him. I asked Skier if the boat was in working order prior to the crash.  He indicated it was and he was able to operate the boat to the boat ramp after the crash.  He had a friend bring a small excavator to the property and transfer the boat into the water.

I took photographs of Skier''s boat and searched inside the boat for blood and alcohol.  I did not find any traces of blood or any empty alcohol containers.  I traveled to the property, and took photographs of the accident site.  The boat traveled up the rip rap and into the grass.  There was damage to the rip rap and landscaping bricks, grass and a tree limb.
Loda                          