The operator and passenger involved in the accident were enroute to West Matagorda Bay for a night of floundering. They were traveling south in the diversion cut at a spped of approx. 20mph with both wearing pfd's (according to the operator) and struck an unlit telephone pole that had been placed in the cut many years ago as an aid to navigation. The operator was able to return to the boat ramp in the Colorado River where he loaded the boat and his passenger and drove to the hospital in Bay City. The operator advised that he has been through that area numerous times and knew about the pole and was using a GPS for navigation but the pole was not loaded on the device. The vessel involved also had flounder lights mounted on the bow which would impair forward visibility.
Matagorda                     