Vessel 1 was travelling east bound on the C and D Canal coming from the area of the Bohemia River and headed towards the Summitt North Marina. There was a large orange car carrier travelling in the same direction on the canal and the operator on Vessel 1 chose to attempt to overtake the car carrier. As he moved his vessel to overtake the car carrier, Vessel 1 climbed the wake of the car carrier and dipped in preparation to climb the next wave of the wake. When Vessel 1 pitched due to this activity, the injured subject lost his footing and fell through the galley door and down onto the galley floor, impacting the floor with his head. In total, the length of the fall was approximately 10 feet from the deck to the galley floor. Victim lost consciousness and became cyanotic. Occupant began rescue breathing and completed three or four breaths and three chest compressions before Victim regained consciousness and began coughing and vomitting. Both the operator and his wife, Occupant, advised that the injured party Victim consumed 6 Miller Lite beers prior to the fall. Victim was transported via ambulance from Summitt North Marina slip I-11 and was treated at the Christiana Hospital for head injury. He was admitted to the hospital for evaluation for the head injury and any possible secondary factors that could have contributed to the fall. A small bleed on the front of the brain was located via CT scan, a bump on the rear of the head was observed, lacerations which were stitched included a laceration to the chin, and the left and right sides of the left eye.

Park Ranger was on scene upon my arrival, see assist other agency report #92-10-528.

I initially responded to the Summitt North Marina and contacted the operator, at slip I-11. Operator stated that they left the marina at 1200hours and headed out to the Bohemia. Duing the day, Victim consumed six Miller Lite beers which is not a large quantity of alcohol for him as he is a heavy drinker. Operator advised that he did not consume alcohol. I spoke to Operator inside the cabin of his boat and observed no odor of alcohol. He advised that he was returning to the marina and was approximately 1/4 mile west of the entrance to the marina when he began overtaking a large orange car carrier in the canal as they were returning from the Bohemia. He advisesd that he took the wake on an angle. He stated that the boat dipped predictably into the wake of the car carrier when Victim, who was standing next to him and in front of the opening to the cabin, lost his footing and fell forward into the cabin. Operator advised that his wife went into the galley and shouted up, "Call 9-1-1!" She then began rescue breathing. Operator spoke with the 9-1-1 dispatcher and relayed instructions to his wife who had completed a CPR course some years before. Victim regained consciousness and tried to move. Both Operator and his wife advised him to remain still. Operator pulled the boat into slip I-11 where the medic crew responded and transported Victim to CER.

I contacted Occupant and she advised as listed, adding that she observed Victim fall forward and down the four steps into the galley area of the boat. She saw him turn onto his back as he fell onto the floor and when he did not begin moving immediately she rushed to render aid. She observed that he was not breathing and that he was turning blue. She observed cuts on his chin and on both sides of his left eye. She oserved that he was not breating and she called out to her husband, advising him to call 9-1-1. She then administered three or four rescue breaths and began chest compressions. She advised that upon the third compression, Victim began coughing and spitting up. Victim was totally unaware of his whereabouts although he did know it was a Monday. Occupant advisesd that she thought that Victim had six beers which is not a large quantity of beer...

BEAR                          