RedactedNarrative: On 06/21/16, I, CPO was called to respond to the Alton Marina in Alton, IL concerning a Personal Watercraft (PWC) that struck a submerged floating log which resulted in the operator and the PWC being sucked under the gates of the Melvin Price Dam. The accident occurred around 1:45 PM and I was contacted at 3:50 PM when rescue crews had recovered Operator and his PWC.
  
  Upon arrival I interviewed the owner of the PWC concerning the accident. Owner did not witness the accident, but informed me he rented out PWCs for recreational use and Operator was a repeat customer. Owner stated that he gives personal instruction on operation of PWCs on both dry land and water before allowing them to operate. This was Owner''s second time with Operator. Owner stated that Operator was a good operator.
  
  Alton Fire Department brought Operator and his PWC to the Alton Marina. Operator asked to be checked out at Alton Memorial Hospital for precautionary reasons. Operator was able to walk on his own and agreed to speak with me at the hospital. While being checked out at the hospital, I went and checked out Operator''s PWC. It was a yellow/white 2015 Yamaha Wave Runner with Missouri registration # MO1418RN. The PWC had taken a large about of damage from going under the gate. However, under the bow eye their was damage relating to a front impact and appeared to be where the PWC hit the log. The PWC had damage all around it from the gate and no other damage appeared to be from the initial collision. It was pointed out to me that when the PWC was recovered it was still running. I noticed the safety lanyard was not attached and found out that when Operator went under the gate it was sucked off of him. We tested the PWC and with the kill switch in the non-operating position and it ran. I noted that it was malfunctioning and did not shut off the PWC as it was intended.
  
  I spoke with Operator at the hospital. Operator informed me he had completed a boat operators course in Florida in April 2016. Operator stated he had about 5 hours of experience behind a PWC, but had 50 hours of boating experience with other motorized boats. Operator stated this was his second trip out with Owner''s rental service. Operator informed Owner spent over 30 minutes on both occasions going over PWC handling, operation and equipment. In Operator''s own words, "Owner squared him away with safety and operation". Operator stated he met with Owner 12:40 PM to go over the PWC and did not start out on his own until approximately 1:20 PM. Owner had informed Operator of the operational area which was approximately 500 yards down and up river of the Clark Bridge. At approximately 1:45, Operator was travelling about 200 yards downriver of the Clark Bridge at full throttle (estimated at 50-55 MPH) when he struck a log. Operator stated he went airborne and upon impact with the water struck the seat violently and fell off. 
  
  Operator stated he was about 5 yards from the PWC when he began swimming to the PWC to get back on. The current of the river began carrying them downstream. For the next 15 minute Operator attempted to get back on the PWC, but was unable. Operator stated he became extremely fatigued and floated next to the gate. Operator felt a tug of the water and tried to get out of the gate by putting the PWC in between him and the gate. However, Operator let go of the PWC and was sucked under water to a depth of approximately 17 feet. Operator was held under water for approximately two minutes until he was able to get above water on the down river side of the dam. Operator called for help and then was rescue 20 minutes later by a passerby. 
  
  Operator sustained no physical injuries and was released from the hospital with a diagnosis of muscle fatigue. Case is closed.