On august 25, 2013 at approximately 3:35pm, operator was operating his vessel on the icw near swansboro.  Operator reported that his wife was riding in the boat with him while he was towing 4 girls on a tube northbound on the icw.  He stated that he turned right into the ferry channel heading towards hammock's beach when his wife told him to look back at the girls to see how much fun they were having.  While he was looking back, he drifted to the right of the channel striking a day marker starboard side.  Due to the impact, his wife was thrown from the boat and struck the day marker rendering her unconscious in the water.  Operator stated that he immediately circled around to his wife and 4 girls, removing them from the water.  He contacted hammock's beach state park to have an ambulance meet him at the park boat ramp.  Occupant received multiple traumatic injuries to her head, neck and right arm as well as aspirating water.  She was transported via ambulance to onslow memorial hospital where she was treated.  Due to the severity of her injuries, occupant was then transported via helicopter to greenville, nc for advanced medical treatment.  The accident resulted in minor property damage to the aluminum hull of the vessel.  I found there to be no careless operation by operator.  No charges were made in this investigation.
SWANSBORO