On Saturday, July 16, 2011, at about 8:00 pm, I, State Game Warden was contacted by Comal County Sheriff's Office Dispatch about a boating accident that occurred in the area commonly known as the "party cove" on Canyon Lake, Texas.  I traveled to the location.  Upon arrival, I observed 2 Sheriff's Deputies and 2 EMT personnel on location.  I observed an injured man who had been placed on a back board and whose head and neck had been immobilized.  I also observed a male subject kneeling down near the injured man, speaking to him.

The man who was kneeling down near the injured man was reported to have been the operator of a PWC (vessel 1) when the PWC had struck the injured man.  operator1 stated that he was operating the PWC.  operator1 stated that as he approached the shore, he struck the injured man with the PWC.  The PWC operated by operator1 had left the location, reportedly towed away by the owner.

The injured man was placed in my patrol boat for transport to Canyon Lake Marina where an awaiting ambulance would then transport the injured man to a hospital in San Antonio.  While at Canyon Lake Marina and before transport by ambulance, I had a brief conversation with the injured man.  victim stated that he had been struck by a PWC operated by operator1.  victim appeared to have several lacerations on his nose and face, but due to the bandages and tape used to immobilize his neck and head, I was unable to clearly see his injuries.

I returned to the "party cove" area and again made contact with operator1.  I spoke with operator1 about what had happened.  Subsequently, operator1 was cited for a violation of the Texas Water Safety Act, Chapter 31.106, Operation of Personal Watercraft with 50 feet in Excess of Headway Speed.  operator1 was also able to provide me information as to the location of the PWC. 

I then traveled to the address.  There I found  the PWC reportedly operated by operator1 at the time of the accident.  The PWC (vessel 1) was found to be TX 5954 JE, a maroon and white colored Yamaha PWC.  The PWC had substantial damage to the bow and underlying hull.  During my conversation with subject, it was discovered the operator1 had struck a boat (vessel 2) that was beached at the time,  in addition to victim.  owner stated that he had borrowed the PWC from a man.  subject stated that he had taken the PWC out that day as a "test drive" because he was considering purchasing the PWC from owner.  subject stated that operator1 is a friend of his and that he had allowed operator1 to operate the PWC.  subject was able to provide information as to who owned vessel 2.

On Sunday, July 17, 2011,  I contacted owner2.  owner2 stated he was out on the lake in his boat and he agreed to meet with me and discuss the accident.  I met with owner2 and found that operator1 and victim were occupants of his boat.  owner2 stated that his boat had been struck on the port side, rear corner and that the outdrive and prop had also been struck and bent.  I observed damage to the port side rear, corner of the boat and that a swim ladder had also been damaged.  It was unclear if the outdrive had been bent.  Several of the prop fins did appear to be bent.  owner2 was actively operating his boat even though he reported the outdrive was damaged.  victim stated that he had 3 separate lacerations that required a total of 10 stitches.
Startzville                   