ON SUNDAY JUNE 21, 2009 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00PM operator WAS OPERATING HIS STAND-UP MODEL PWC IN ROGER CREEK.  (ROGERS CREK IS LOCATED ABOUT 2.5 MILES SOUTH OF WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH AND LIES BETWEEN MASONBORO ISLAND AND THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY.)  OPERATOR1 STATED THAT HE WAS CRUISING ALONG IN THE CREEK GOING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH WHEN SUDDENLY HIS PWC STRUCK A SANDBAR.  HE STATED THAT HE WAS IMMEDIATELY THROWN FROM THE PWC AND HIS RIGHT EYE STRUCK SOMETHING CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE.  HE THEN WALKED ALONG THE EDGE OF THE MARSH UNTIL HE FOUND TWO SUBJECTS FISHING.  THESE SUBJECTS CALLED 911 AND TRANSPORTED OPERATOR1 TO TRAILS END BOAT RAMP WHERE THEY MET EMS.  OPERATOR1 DID NOT LOSE HIS RIGHT EYE BUT DID LOSE VISION IN IT AND IS NOT EXPECTED TO REGAIN VISION.  

THE TWO SUBJECTS THAT TRANSPORTED OPERATOR1 TO THE BOAT RAMP STATED THAT THEY HAD SEEN OPERATOR1 GO BY THEM INTO ROGERS CREEK AND HAD THROUGHT THAT IT WAS TOO SHALLOW TO BE OPERATING A PWC IN THERE.  THEY STATED THAT OPERATOR1 WAS NOT OPERATING IN A CARELESS OR RECKLESS MANNER WHEN THEY OBSERVED HIM.

OPERATOR1 STATED THAT HE HAD DRANK ONE AND A HALF BEERS BEFORE HE LEFT HOME THAT AFTERNOON.  HE DID NOT APPEAR TO BE IMPAIRED.
WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH            