At 1530 on July 23rd, 2010 I was sent to Hamilton lake in the area of Clark's Landing Marina in reference to 2 PWC's which collided injuring one of the operators.  Upon my arrival I met with the owner of the PWC's.  They were on a trailer at this time.  
     On the first PWC, IN 9757 DH, there was cracked fiberglass approximately 26" from the stern on the port side gunwale.  Directly above this fresh damage was the rear edge of the seat.  The hardware on the hull to attach the seat was damaged.  There was a plastic housing around the rear of the seat between the seat and hull with a handle which was completely broken in half.  The seat had a small tear and there were fresh scuffs in the area.  I appeared that the PWC was hit on the port side in the area 3/4 the way back from the bow.
     On the second PWC, IN 9758 DH, there were considerable fresh scuffs in the fiberglass on the port side bow on the lower hull.  It appeared that it collided with an object in front, just to left of center.
     I interviewed Operator2, the operator of IN 9758 DH at the scene as well as two witnesses to the accident who were sitting at a beach watching the lake.  I interviewed Operator1, which was injured in the collision, at Cameron Memorial Hospital.  All witnesses/operators described the accident in the same manner.
     According to witnesses, Operator1 was operating his rented PWC in a straight line on the lake.   Operator2 was staggered off to Operator1's port side approximately 20 yards behind Operator1.  Operator1 slowed and turned his PWC to the port side.  As he did, he turned into the path of Operator2.  Operator2 attempted to avoid the collision by turning sharply to the starboard side approximately 120 degrees, leaving him almost perpendicular to Operator1s PWC, but angled slightly to the stern.  He struck Operator1's PWC at the area of the rear of the seat on the port side. Operator1 was thrown off of the PWC to the starboard side, but  Operator1 was not physically struck by Operator2's PWC.  The impact broke the rear area of the seat latch and launched the seat from the PWC striking Operator1 in the lower back causing his pain and injuries.  They were then assisted to shore by employees from Clark's Marina who were alerted by witnesses.  
     Operator1 was transported to Cameron Memorial Hospital in Angola where he was diagnosed with deep muscle bruising to the lower right back and hip.  There was no indication that alcohol was a factor in the accident.

Hamilton                      