THE OPERATOR WAS LEAVING THE BAIT SHOP AT THE STATE DOCKS AT OR ABOVE PLANING SPEED WHEN THE VESSEL TOOK A HARD STARBOARD TURN AND STRUCK THE PILINGS AND THE DOCK ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE TURNING BASIN. THE OPERATOR WAS EJECTED FROM THE VESSEL AND WAS FOUND BY THE BAYOU LABATRE FIRE AND RESCUE DEPT.  THE OPERATOR WAS PRONOUNCED ON THE SCENE AT 1519.  THERE WAS POSSIBLE INDICATION OF SOME TYPE OF MEDICAL PROBLEM THAT MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE ACCIDENT.  REPORTS FROM MEDICAL EXAMINER HEVE NOT BEEN RELEASED AT THIS TIME.  THE ONLY WITNESS TO THIS ACCIDENT LEFT THE SCENE PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE POLICE.
BAYOU LA BATRE                