RedactedNarrative: Synopsis:
  Lake Powell- Individual was jump starting PWC when hooking up jumper cables to battery, explosion occurred, causing individual to have severe burns to arms and face.  Individual was life flighted to Las Vegas for further treatment of injuries.
  
  Narrative:
  Initial Call:
  On 6/30/2017, approximately 1522 hours, I Ranger was patrolling Lake Powell with seasonal employee's  when we heard over the radio an electric shock victim at the State Line Fuel docks, with one individual in the water.   I notified Dispatch that I would be en route to the incident from Padre Bay.  I could also hear over the radio other National Park Service (NPS) Rangers responding and arriving on scene as well.  
  
  On scene:
  Approximately 1540 hours, I arrived on scene to the Aramark Fuel docks location and noticed the Ambulance just leaving the launch ramp area.  I asked NPS Rangers if there was just 1 individual and 1 vessel involved.  They stated that from what they know only 1 person and vessel.  I was able to take a few pictures of the PWC when I arrived, I asked if the PWC had been altered in any way they told me "no" but it was towed to the other side away from the fuel dock in case of it catching fire.   One of the NPS Rangers told me that the victim was able to walk under his own power, but had burns to his arms and face.  I realized that the victim's wife was talking with other NPS Rangers and wanted to get going to the hospital to be with her husband.  
  
  wife Contact:
  I asked if she had witnessed the incident she told me she did not.  She told me that one of her kids was nearby at the fuel dock.  She told me they had got gas and were going to jumpstart another PWC, when Victim had hooked up the jumper cables caught fire and burned his arms and face and he fell into the water.  I explained that I would get her information from her and help her during this difficult time with her jet skis, as she was not comfortable towing a trailer without her husband around.  She told me that the PWC's belonged to a friend of hers in St. George and they had left Lake Powell earlier.  
  
  I was able have the subjects hold the Jet Skis' at the State Line dock until I returned from getting the PWC trailer with VICTIM’S WIFE.  I followed VICTIM’S WIFE to her vehicle at Antelope Point Marina parking lot and took her trailer and loaded the 2 jet skis at State Line Marina.  At this time VICTIM’S WIFE told me her husband was being flown to Las Vegas for his injuries.  VICTIM’S WIFE thanked me for helping her and headed to page hospital to fill out paperwork.
  
  Investigation:
  Subjects told me that while waiting for me to arrive with the trailer they heard some crackling down in the battery area and to be careful.  We carefully loaded the PWC's without further incident and secured them to the trailer.  I was able to take pictures of the way the jumper cables were hooked up and did not notice any crossing of positive and negative cables or obvious connection problems.  In an open air environment I could smell the strong odor of gasoline coming from the Jet Ski.  
  
  I did not feel comfortable unhooking the cables from the battery until I knew why they had burned up.  I called NPS Ranger who felt comfortable taking off the jumper cables.  We both came to the conclusion of what had happened was fuel vapors were compacted under the battery compartment and when VICTIM had leaned over to put connect the jumper cables a spark had ignited the vapors causing an explosion. It is possible that VICTIMS arm and face were down close to the battery compartment, which would be consistent with where the majority of the burns were to his arms and face.
  
  OTHER:
  The PWC was borrowed; I contacted owner and let him know where he could pick up the Jet Ski. OWNER told me that he does not have the PWC's in his name, but they are registered to another subject. OWNER also was able to provide me with the insurance information. Pictures taken would not upload to this report.
  
  7/3/2017
  I spoke with VICTIM’S WIFE she updated me on Victims condition, stating he was still sedated and should be coming out of sedation soon. He will have skin grafts done on his arms. I gave her the case number for this report. I explained to her that I would like to follow up with Victim for a statement on what happened. I explained to VICTIM’S WIFE what I believed happened during my investigation.
  