According to the operator,  he and occupant were traveling west down east main canal on lake mattamuskeet.  Operator advised that they had been fishing and they were returning to the ramp.  Occupant was sitting on a swivel seat that was positioned on the bow of the boat.  Operator was operating the vessel from the standing position behind the console.  Operator advised that they struck a submerged object.  The force from the strike caused operator to move forward.  At this time operator realized that occupant was no longer in the vessel.  Operator scanned the area and noticed occupant in the water behind the vessel.  At this time he noticed occupant had a serious injury to his left arm.  Operator pulled occupant to the shore and assisted him in the vessel and back to the ramp.  Operator then contacted hyde county ems for assistance.  Occupant was transported to vidant hospital in belhaven by hyde ems.  East care then transported occupant from belhaven to vidant hospital in greenville.  Officer met occupant at the hospital in greenville and advised that he suffered lacerations from the boat prop on both his left and right arm.  Officer also described him as having minor abrasions to his head caused by being scraped by the bottom of the vessel as it passed over him.  The vessel was carrying the correct safety equipment and the use of alcohol and drugs were not detected.  No charges were filed in this case.

***********************
It was not specified in this report how occupant ended up in the water.

FAIRFIELD                     