Subjects had been checking their limb lines from the night before.  They continued up river to look for other spots to fish.  They came to a bend in the river and while navigating it, they struck a submerged tree limb.  The limb hit the port side bow and came up through the hull striking the passenger/victim ejecting him out of V1.  The victim swam to the east side of the river and got out on the bank.  The operator maneuvered V1 to the west bank and asked the victim if he was ok.  At this time the victim looked down at his abdomen and could see his intestines protruding out; he became very pale and weak.  The operator called 911.  The victim was med-flighted to Memphis and underwent emergency surgery (a portion of his small intestine had to be removed).  

Upon interviews, the doctors advised it was the tree limb that cut the victim and not the prop.  It is believed the operator's vision may have been obstructed by the passenger/victim in the front seat of V1.
CORNING                       