On 4-2-2012 I, CPO went on duty at 11:00AM.  I was advised by State Police of a boat accident that occurred on 04-01-2012 at approximately 6:43PM.  I responded to the location of the accident.  The location was the  55th St. boat launch in Moline IL, Mississippi River Pool # 15.  I arrived at 11:34AM.  I met with Moline Fire Dept. Battalion Chief on scene.  Chief was in charge of an ongoing body recovery effort at this location.  Chief advised a PWC accident occurred on 4-1-12 @ approximately 6:43 PM, the PWC operator was missing and presumed deceased.  Chief advised operator was not wearing a PFD / life jacket when he fell off his PWC into the water.  Chief advised a juvenile male, Occupant was onboard the PWC at the time and was wearing a PFD.  Chief stated Occupant was able to swim back and reboard the PWC after he fell off with Operator.  Occupant was uninjured.  Chief was asked if he needed anything from IDNR.  Chief stated he had enough boats at that time and would notify me if they recovered Operator.

I called Moline Police Department and requested a copy of the police report completed on 4-1-12.  I was e-mailed a copy of that report.  Multiple eye-witnesses and the PWC involved were on scene.  I located Operator''s girlfriend.  Victim’s girlfriend''s son, was the passenger on the PWC at the time of the accident and was on scene.  Another subject is a friend to the family, was an eye-witness and on scene.  Interviews were conducted with these three persons.  All accounts of the accident were the same and matched what Moline PD had in their report.  Victim’s girlfriend stated Operator recently purchased two PWC''s from Tempo Marine.  I conducted a safety inspection on PWC IL 4485 HU.  I did not observe any signs of damage on the hull, the fire extinguisher was charged and onboard.  Victim’s girlfriend stated Operator was wearing the lanyard kill switch and a whistle was attached to the lanyard.  Witness verbal statements stated Operator was test driving his new PWC''s.  Operator gave short rides to two children prior to the third and final trip.  On the third trip, Operator turned to come back to the boat launch area.  At this time Operator and occupant fell off the PWC and were approximately 20 yards away from where the PWC stopped.  Occupant (wearing a PFD) was able to swim back and reboard the PWC.  Operator (not wearing a PFD) was unable to swim to the PWC and started yelling.  Victim was observed "bobbing" above and below the water line before going under the water and not resurfacing.  Occupant stated he had trouble getting the PWC to start because he did not have the kill switch lanyard.  Occupant was able to get the PWC running intermittingly and returned to the area where Operator was last observed.  Occupant was unable locate Operator.  911 was called at 6:48 PM.  Eye witness assisted with the search.  A search was conducted by Moline, East Moline and Arsenal Fire Departments via boat.  The search was called off at 8:02PM and resumed at 8:00AM on 4-2-12.  I confirmed with Tempo Marine Operator did purchase the PWC''s on Friday March 30th 2012 and picked them up on Saturday March 31st 2012.  Tempo Marine verified the PWC''s were in perfect running order and left with all required safety equipment including three PFD''s and registration paperwork.  I took pictures of the PWC involved and two of the PFD''s on scene.  I filed a significant incident report with our Dept. and briefed Captain via phone.

On 4-2-12 at 7:00PM I was advised by Fire Chief a body recovery was made at 6:55PM.  I met with Rock Island County Deputy Coroner on scene.  A positive identification of the body being Operator was made at 7:20 PM.

Moline                        