At approximately 1320 HRS, vessel 1 began drifting from the dock at the Lakeview ramp in Perry State Park.  At said time, five persons were on board said vessel.  As vessel 1 was drifting, the operator experienced problems keeping the engine running; specifically, as he shifted it into forward gear.  After attempting  to re-start it 10-12 times, an explosion occurred.  

Prior to the explosion, as the wind began pushing vessel 1 towards a rock jetty, occupant 5 jumped off the bow in an attempt to keep said vessel from grounding.  While occupant 5 was attempting to push vessel 1 away from the rocks, an explosion from the engine compartment occurred.  

During the explosion, victim 1, who had been sitting in the aft section of vessel 1, was projected upward, impacting his head on an unidentified object.  

After the explosion, the operator and occupants tended to victim 1 and assisted him to shore.  As they tended to victim 1, the fire began to grow and operator 1 then attempted to extinguish it with his B1 extinguisher.  An unidentified subject at the boat ramp also attempted to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher; both attempts failed though.  EMT personnel arrived and treated victim 1 and ambulance personnel transported him to a hospital in Topeka, KS.  Fire fighters extinguished the fire after approximately 80% of the hull had been burnt.  After the remaining section of vessel 1 had cooled, operator 1, with the assistance of his friends, loaded the remains of vessel 1 onto a trailer and transported it to his residence.  

Prior to vessel 1 being removed from the water, NRO took photographs and examined the engine parts thereof.  NRO noted that approximately 50% of the flame arrestor was secured above the carburator and the other 50% appeared to have been broken off, possibly during the explosion.  NRO was unable to determine if vessel 1''s blower was functional or if it had been used properly to ventilate the engine compartment prior to operator 1 attempting to start the engine thereof.  Based on his training and experience, NRO believes that the build up of fuel vapors were a contributing factor in causing the explosion and fire.
Meriden                       