Vessel 1, with four persons on board, was operating in Lake Erie just north of the Miller Road Boat Ramp when one of the Occupants (the Victim) stood up in the bow area at the same time that a wave struck Vessel 1.  The Victim subsequently fell overboard, at which time the propeller of Vessel 1 struck the Victim, causing lacerations to the front of the Victim's left leg and to the Victim's back on his left side.  The Victim was retrieved by the remaining Occupants in Vessel 1, bystanders contacted 911, and the Avon Lake Police and Fire Departments responded to the scene.  The Victim was transported to St John West Shore Hospital where he  was admitted and treated for lacerations to his left back and left leg.  

Subsequent investigation revealed that two of the Occupants aboard Vessel 1 (the Victim and another Passenger; not the Operator) had been consuming alcohol prior to the incident.  

Information regarding PFD wear on the Operator and Occupants of Vessel 1 was not collected by the responding agency (Avon Lake Police Department) at the time of the incident and is not available for this report.
Avon Lake                     