ACCORDING TO STATEMENTS Operator and occupant ACCESSED THE HIWASSEE RIVER FROM THE CHARLESTON BOAT RAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 19:00HRS.  THEY TRAVELED A SHORT DISTANCE UPSTREAM AND THEN RETURNED DOWNSTREAM PASSING CHARLESTON BOAT RAMP.  THE VESSEL CONTINUED DOWNSTREAM PAST THE HWY 11 BRIDGE PASSING A PONTOON BOAT DURING THIS TIME.  Operator STATED THAT HE REACHED TOWARD A COMPARTMENT ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BOAT IN AN ATTEMPT TO RETRIEVE A CELL PHONE.  AS HE WAS REACHING FOR THE PHONE HE HEARD A "BOOM".  AS HE SAT BACK UP occupant FELL OVER IN THE BOAT WITH HER UPPER TORSO AND HEAD COMING TO REST IN Operator's LAP.  THE VESSEL CONTINUED DOWNSTREAM STRIKING A BRUSHY EMBANKMENT AND THEN FLOATING BACK TOWARD THE CHANNEL. Operator PLACED TOWELS ON THE VICTIMS INJURIES AND CALLED 911.  Both RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM A PONTOON BOAT UNTIL RESCUE AND EMS PERSONNEL ARRIVED ON SCENE.
CHARLESTON                    