On 08/02/2013 vessel one (V1) was operated by operator one (O1) on Lake Oahe with one passenger (V1P1). Neither O1 or V1P1 were wearing PFD's. At about 9:10pm V1 was heading north under the Highway 12 Bridge heading back to the boat launch area. O1 was sitting near the tiller motor in a chair. V1P1 was sitting on the top of a blue and white cooler in the middle of the boat. O1 said they were traveling 28 mph and he trimmed the motor up with the foot pedal. O1 said the motor turned at a 90 degree angle and V1 turned sharp to the east in a circle. O1 and V1P1 were thrown from the V1. O1 said he came to the surface and observed V1 driving in circles. O1 yelled for V1P1 and was unsure if V1P1 had been thrown from V1. O1 said V1P1 came to the surface about 15 yards from O1. O1 asked V1P1 if he was ok. V1P1 replied he was hurt. O1 said he noticed a red spot on the shoulder of V1P1. O1 and V1P1 started to swim north to gain distance from V1 which was still driving in circles. O1 and V1P1 started to swim back to the south toward the Highway 12 Bridge. V1P1 told O1 that he could not swim any longer. O1 swam to V1P1 and started to rescue swim with him. O1 swam until he was unable to swim with V1P1. O1 told V1P1 he could not swim any longer. O1 said V1P1 said to let go. O1 let go and V1P1 went under water and did not return. O1 continued to swim for the bridge. O1 was at the point of exhaustion and could no longer swim when he was pulled into another boat and taken to shore.
MOBRIDGE