On 05-19-12 at approx. 1534 V1 was towing one person on a tube 20 yards east of channel marker 18 in the ICW St. Augustine, St. Johns Co., FL. V1 had one operator and one occupant on board the vessel. V1 was operating in a figure eight pattern as it towed the tube rider. At approximately 1535 I observed the vessel turning sharply right at estimated speed of 25mph. During the course of the turn V1 yawed suddenly to port as the vessel crossed its own wake. Both the operator and occupant were thrown overboard to the port side of the vessel. V1 then went over the submerged operator striking the operator with its still running propeller. The propeller caused a large laceration to the shin area and fractured the tibia of the operators left leg. The propeller also caused a smaller laceration to the right foot of the operator. The occupant of V1 was uninjured as she was pushed away from V1 by the operator after they were ejected overboard. V1 with a still open throttle continued on unmanned with the tube rider still holding onto the ski rope.  The tube rider released the ski rope about 5-10 seconds after the operator and occupant were ejected.  V1 continued on completing at least two clockwise circles then striking V2 in its stbd side. V1 then completed one more clockwise circle then contacting V2 for a second time. The bow of V1 hit the stern of V2 mid ship and at the top of the transom causing damage to the bow of V1 and transom of V2. V1 then grounded in the shallow water approximately 10 yards south of V1.  The operator was transported to Flagler Hospital for treatment. The occupant and the tube rider were uninjured.; Operator has an open tibia fracture of his left leg. The fracture has multiple bone fragments and significant soft tissue damage at the wound. He also received a superficial laceration to his right foot. Flagler Hospital estimated blood loss at 200ml. Operator was admitted to Flagler Hospital for seven days.
ST. AUGUSTINE                 