RedactedNarrative: On above listed date and time this agent was notified by L.D.W.F. Enforcement Division dispatcher in reference to a one vessel accident and advised agent to contact the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriffs Office for specific details on the accident. When this agent contacted the sheriffs office this agent was advised that it was a single vessel accident with minor injuries which had occurred on the Tangipahoa River just south of Lees Landing off of Traino Road. Upon agents arrival it was determined that it was a serious bodily injury accident involving moderate to serious injuries to the operator of the vessel and three passengers in the vessel, one of which had to be air-lifted to the emergency room at North Oaks Hospital. 
   
  At this time agent notified supervisors of the accident and was instructed by Captain to get assistance from other agents in the field. St. Agent was notified and responded to assist. Once Sr. Agent arrived agents went to the scene and photographed the vessel which could not be moved from the site due to it was leaking fuel and the condition of the vessel was not sea worthy. This agent then went to the hospital and spoke with two of the passengers-witnesses and then later the operator and the other passengers-witnesses. The operator of the vessel and witnesses statements both written and verbal were conclusive with each other. The operator of vessel advised that he was coming out of a sharp s-shaped curve when he attempted to maneuver his vessel to the left to complete the second portion of the s-shaped curve when his steering froze up and would not move. 
   
  Witnesses in the vessel said that they looked back and saw Operator fighting with the steering but the vessel continued straight toward the starboard side bank eventually striking the bank impacting trees and stumps, (see aerial photo and GPS coordinates attached). Operator further advised he throttled up and then down in attempt to make the turn and possibly free up the steering but the steering wheel would not move and then the vessel impacted the trees and stumps ejecting him out of the vessel. Note: The operator and one passenger were ejected from the vessel while two other passengers were thrown to the floor of the vessel. 
   
  Upon agents arrival to the scene agents observed that the Teleflex steering cable outer housing had separated from the inner portion where it mounts to the motor (see photos). It is unknown is this cable was separated prior to the accident or on impact but if the cable had broken during the turn it could have binded the cable making it hard to steer. In addition this vessel was equipped with a 150 horsepower motor and in a tight turn without any assist in the steering the torque of the motor would have added difficulty in the steering of the vessel. The internal portion of the cable was free of debris but the steering knuckle-mount being broken prevented agents from testing the system for binding.
   
  