On July 10, 2010, I, Conservation Police Officer, was called to the scene of a boat accident that occurred on Lake Shelbyville at approximately 3:00pm approximately 2 miles north of Lithia Springs Marina.   I arrived on scene at approximately 4:00pm.  The victims involved were already transported to Shelby Memorial Hospital by Shelby Area Ambulance personnel.  Two female subjects were riding on a 2001 Sea Doo personal watercraft (PWC).  Operator was operating the PWC, jumping waves, while there was one passenger.  Operator hit a large wave at a high rate of speed.  Operator hit the wave at a sideways angle, ejecting both girls from the PWC.  Operator toppled several times and hit the water face/headfirst and Occupant toppled several times and hit the water on her right side.  When both girls surfaced, they were approximately 30 feet from the PWC and 10 feet away from each other.  Occupant was having difficulty breathing, was unable to move, and was in severe pain.  Operator waved over the occupants of the boat they were with.  

Another subject was the operator of the Bayliner Operator and Occupant were with.  Subject motored over to the victims.  Two of the subjects jumped into the water to assist the victims (both were trained EMTs).  911 was contacted and another boater passing by assisted with getting Occupant into the Bayliner.  Operator was able to get into the boat on her own but began complaining of neck and back pain during the transport.  US Army Corp of Engineers personnel met the boat halfway during transport and assisted with clearing boat traffic.  Operator and Occupant were transported to the Lithia Springs Marina boat ramp were ambulance personnel were standing by.  Occupant had pain on her right side, back and neck.  Operator had pain in her neck, back and shoulder.   Ambulance personnel began treatment and transported Operator and Occupant to Shelby Memorial Hospital at approximately 3:45pm.

Occupants of the Bayliner did not see the accident happen.  They noticed a problem when Operator and Occupant were several feet away from the PWC, not swimming towards it.  Subject indicated he motored over to the victims after Operator waved him over.  Both Operator and Occupant indicated they were traveling at a high rate of speed, between 30mph and 50mph.  Operator indicated they had been jumping waves throughout the day without difficulty.  She did not realize how big the wave was that caused them to be ejected.  Operator thought they hit the wave head-on, while Occupant indicated they hit the wave sideways.  This was only the second time Operator had ever operated a PWC, while Occupant had operated PWCs since she was 10 years old.  Both victims indicated they did not hit the PWC after hitting the wave, they were ejected directly into the water.

Both Operator and Occupant were treated and released from the hospital at approximately 8:00pm.  Operator sustained a neck injury and bruising, while Occupant had minor strains/sprains and bruising.  There was no mechanical problems with the PWC and all required safety equipment was on board.  Operator was wearing the lanyard device as required.  Both Operator and Occupant were wearing personal flotation devices as required.  Operator inexperience was the main contributing factor of the crash.
Shelbyville                   