ON OR ABOUT 12:45 operator, 52, OF CHESAPEAKE, VIRGINIA WAS OPERATING HIS VESSEL A 21 FOOT CENTURY ON THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY NEAR HOLDEN BEACH WHEN HE WAS INVOLVED IN A BOATING ACCIDENT.  OPERATOR WAS HEADING OUT OF A CANNEL NEAR LION PAW ST. HEADED SOUTH TO OCEAN ISLE AT 10 TO 20 MILES AND HOUR.  VICTIM AND SIX OTHER PASSENGERS WERE ON BOARD; VICTIM WAS SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE BOAT HOLDING ON TO A ROPE CONNECTED TO AN UNOCCUPIED TUBE.  THE TUBE WAS IN THE WATER BEHIND THE BOAT AS THE BOAT GATHERED SPEED THE WIND CREATED FORCE ON THE TUBE.  AS THE ROPE CONNECTED TO THE TUBE WAS PULLING OUT THE BOAT THE TUBE ROPE WRAPPED AROUND VICTIM'S ANKLE AND PULLED HIM OUT OF THE BOAT.  VICTIM LANDED ON THE TRANSOM AND ENGINE CAUSING SERIOUS INJURY, VICTIM WAS MEDEVACED TO NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER.  VICTIM WAS NOT WEARING A PFD AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT.  NO EVIDENCE OF ALCOHOL OR DRUGS TO BE A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR IN THE ACCIDENT, NO CITATIONS WERE ISSUED.
HOLDEN BEACH                  