On saturday august 3, 2013, two pwcs were riding parallel in a south easterly direction near the mouth of cane creek off of high rock lake in rowan county. Pwc 1 turned slightly starboard to cross the wake of a boat that had passed. Pwc2 continued straight to jump the wake further behind the boat that had passed. As pwc 2 was nearing the wake, he turned slightly in a starboard direction to square to the wake and jump. As pwc 2 got to the wake to jump, it impacted pwc 1 on the portside amidship. Pwc 1 after crossing the wake had continued down the wake and was directly in the path of the oncoming pwc 2. Pwc 2 was, by the rules of the road, the giveway vessel, and failed to keep proper lookout. Both pwcs were traveling at or near maximum, throttle so the impact and damage was significant enough to total both pwcs. Both operators were transported by ambulance to rowan regional medical center. The operator of pwc 1 was treated and transported to baptist hospital in winston salem, he suffered a broken vertebrae. The operator of pwc 2 was treated for a partially torn bicep and released from rowan regional medical center. Both operators were wearing type iii personal flotation devises (pfd). Alcohol was not involved in this incident. The operator of pwc 2 was charged with reckless or negligent operation of a vessel as to endanger life, limb or property.
SALISBURY