V1 and V2 were being operated near the Fisherman’s Access boat ramp awaiting their turn to trailer the vessels. V1 was upriver and to the left of Operator2 and Occupant, on V2. Operator1 was likely traveling at a slow rate of speed when she turned to her left. Operator1 assumed that Operator2 was also traveling upriver toward the launch but instead Operator2 had turned the engine off and was drifting. Operator1’s intentions remain unclear, but it appears she did not expect Operator2 to be in her path of travel when she turned, and Operator1 could not react in time to avoid collision with Operator2 and occupant. V1 collided with V2’s left footwell area. Both Operator2 and Occupant were thrown from V2 and floated downriver toward the Aquarius casino dock area. 

An uninvolved party on a rental PWC occupied by three people saw Operator2 and Occupant floating and sought help from bystanders on the Aquarius dock. Uninvolved party then returned to the north end of the Aquarius dock to try to assist and V3 tipped in the current. Two of the 3 occupants of V3 (Uninvolved party and subject) fell from the vessel. occupant did not fall from V3 but left it voluntarily to assist the victims in the water. With no passengers, V3 was carried into the bow of the "Celebration" tour boat that was secured at the Aquarius casino dock. V3 was eventually pushed underneath the tour boat and carried underneath the vessel until it emerged at the stern. Uninvolved party was also submerged by the current and traveled under the dock and emerged on the other side, shaken but uninjured. Subject, Occupant, and Uninvolved party were assisted onto the dock by bystanders. Operator2 suffered pain in her left torso area and was unable to be lifted onto the dock. Operator2 was stabilized as well as possible in the water until EMS personnel arrived. Operator2 was taken to WARMC by ambulance. Operator2 suffered 5 broken ribs on her left side. Occupant had abrasions to his left side at the point of impact with V1, but did not seek medical attention. No other injuries were reported, and no citations were issued as a result of this accident

Laughlin                      