V1 WAS TOWING UPRIVER TWO ADULTS RIDING ON AN INFLATABLE TUBE, AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 20-25 MPH. IT APPROACHED A SECTION OF THE RIVER WHICH NARROWS TO APPROXIMATELY 225 FEET IN WIDTH, FOLLOWED BY A "BLIND" TURN IN THE RIVER. DURING THAT APPROACH, ANOTHER VESSEL TRAVELING DOWNRIVER WHILE ON A PLANE, MOTORED INTO SIGHT ON A PATH IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RIVER. THE V1 OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY ALTERED HIS COURSE PORT WITH THE INTENT OF LETTING THE OTHER PASS HIM ON HIS STARBOARD SIDE BEFORE TURNING V1 BACK TO STARBOARD TOWARD THE CENTER OF THE RIVER. AS A RESULT OF THE MULTIPLE TURNS BY V1, THE TUBE BEING TOWED WAS SLUNG WELL OUTSIDE (TO PORT) OF V1. PRIOR TO TH TUBE CONTACTING THE SHORELINE, THE FRONT BEGAN LIFTING UP, PITCHING OUT BOTH RIDERS. ONE RIDER DIRECTLY IMPACTED A TREE AT THE WATER'S EDGE, RESULTING IN FATALITY SHORTLY AFTER IMPACT.
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