Preliminary investigation reveals vessel 1 was towing the victim at the time of the accident.  Two people occupied vessel 1, the operator and the victim's girlfriend.  The victim was attempting to wake surf at the time of the accident.

Vessel 1 was traveling at a low rate of speed between 10 to 20 mph.  The victim was pulling himself up on the surf board and also pulling himself closer to the boat to surf a greater part of the wake when he fell.  The victim also had the excess ski rope bundle in his hands and arm.  The operator of vessel 1 attempted to stop the vessel right away when the victim fell.  The operator noticed the victim being pulled in the water and realized that the victim was attached to the rope.  The operator and victim's girlfriend pulled the victim into the boat.  The ski rope was wrapped around the victim's upper right arm and embedded in the skin.  The operator used a radio to call his wife at their residence and had her call 911.  The operator then transported the victim to his residence on the lake.  Emergency medical services arrived and transported the victim to moore regional hospital for treatment.

The victim had surgery to repair muscle tissue, tendons, veins and arteries that were not allowing blood flow to the arm.  The doctor is optimistic that the victim will have the use of his arm in the distant future.  The victim was released from the hospital 5 days later.

Further investigation reveals the rope that was used to tow the victim was a tubing rope and not a ski rope.  The operator and victim were inexperienced on the subject of wake surfing.  

In conclusion, this accident could have possible been prevented by using the equipment specifically designed for wake surfing.  As noted, the operator and victim both were inexperienced in wake surfing.  In my opinion, the victim's inexperience and the victim holding the rope as he pulled himself closer to the boat was the cause of the accident.

VASS                          