ON 07/07/2009 AT OR ABOUT 6PM, operator WAS OPERATING A PWC (VESSEL #1: NC 1448 WR) ON LAKE NORMAN.  SHE WAS IN THE VICINITY OF AND NEAR THE MOUTH OF MCCRARY CREEK.  OPERATOR WAS TRAVELING SOUTH INTO A COVE AT AN ESTIMATED SPEED OF 25 MPH.  WHILE TRYING TO SPRAY WATER ON FRIENDS OF ANOTHER VESSEL WITH THE RENTED PWC, OPERATOR TRIED TO MANEUVER THE PWC IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION CAUSING HER TO PANIC, AND DUE TO HER LACK OF EXPERIENCE, RELEASED THE GAS THROTTLE, MAKING THE PWC GO INTO THE DIRECTION OF LAND.  THE PWC COLLIDED WITH A TREE THAT HAD FALLEN OVER INTO THE LAKE.  THE LOCATION OF THE ACCIDENT IS: LAT: N35'35.100 - LONG: W080'55.819.

THE PASSENGER WAS NOT INJURED.  OPERATOR WAS TAKEN BY IREDELL COUNTY EMS TO LAKE NORMAN REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND ADMITTED.  SHE HAD RECEIVED A SERIOUS LACERATION TO THE LOWER ABDOMEN CAUSED FROM THE IMPACT WITH THE HANDELBARS.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS INVOLVED WITH THIS ACCIDENT ARE: CARELESS AND RECKLESS VESSEL OPERATION AND OPERATOR INEXPERIENCE.  ALCOHOL WAS NOT INVOLVED.  operator WAS CHARGED WITH CARELESS AND RECKLESS VESSEL OPERATION. (GS 75A-10(A))
MOORESVILLE                   