On October 7, 2011 at approximately 06:58, state police communications received a call from a C. and E. railroad engineer regarding an overturned vessel on Lake Shelbyville just north of the railroad bridge.  Conservation Police Officer (CPO) was the first to respond to the area.  CPO confirmed there was an overturned vessel along with a floating body.  When I, CPO2 arrived at the scene, at approximately 08:40, the body had been recovered and shortly thereafter, released to the Moultrie County coroner.  The individual was later identified.  The Shelby County Dive Team (SCDT) transported me to the scene of the accident where photographs were taken.  The boat was still in the water and had drifted to the shoreline just north west of the railroad bridge.  From observing the railroad bridge and the severe damage of the bow of the boat, it was determined the boat struck the far west pillar of the concrete railroad bridge and flipped over, ejecting the operator.  The SCDT along with IDNR officers, scanned the area of the crash for additional bodies and vessels.  None were found.  

At approximately 10:47, the SCDT and Moultrie County Dive Team uprighted the vessel.  More photographs were taken.  At approximately 11:38, the US Army Corps of Engineers transported the vessel to Wilborn Creek boat ramp. The vessel was then removed from the water and placed on a flat bed trailer until Victim''s truck and boat trailer could be located.  At approximately 12:20, Victim''s truck and trailer were located at the Opossum Creek boat ramp parking lot.  At approximately 14:30, towing transported the vessel to Findlay Marina where the boat was lifted from the flat bed.  Sgt. and myself, traveled to Opossum Creek to recover the trailer and inventory Victim''s truck which was later towed.  At approximately 15:30, we transported the trailer to Findlay Marina where the vessel was placed on the trailer and then transported to the Wolf Creek State Park evidence facility.  At approximately 16:30, I began the initial assessment of the damage of the vessel and took more photographs.  

The damage of the vessel indicated Victim was initially shoved forward, causing the console unit to be ripped from the bolts and shoved forward and sideways.  Victim was then launched forward, striking his head on the under decking of the bow of the vessel.  The upper portion of the bow of the vessel had been crushed and laid back, exposing the area underneath.  Initial autopsy reports show the injuries Victim sustained are consistent with being shoved forward onto the console (lacerated liver, multiple severe internal injuries) and striking his head (severe head trauma with multiple frontal skull fractures).  Further damage assessment of the vessel will be conducted.  END OF REPORT.

Findlay                       