RedactedNarrative: On Saturday June 13, 2020, a vessel incident occurred in mecklenburg county on mtn. Island lake.  The incident occurred at approximately 3:37pm. The incident only involved one vessel. The vessel is a 11' sea-doo personal watercraft.  There was one person onboard at the time of the incident. 
  
  The vessel was traveling out of a cove on the north side of the highway 16 bridge towards the main channel of the lake when the incident occurred. The operator stated that he wanted to show off as he began to exit the cove.  Operator was facing backwards on the vessel as he operated the vessel out of the cove. 
  
  The operator stated he turned his head and at this point he struck branches with his body.  Operator stated he believes he was traveling between 25 and 35 mph at the time of incident.  He stated this is the last thing he remembered.  Witnesses stated that they observed the operator sit on the vessel's handlebars backwards as he began to drive out of the cove. They stated operator was operating the vessel very close to the shoreline when he struck multiple branches.  
  
  The vessel then came to a stop on the shoreline. They stated he slumped on the jet-ski and appeared to be unconscious.   At this point a blue and white speed boat came to assist operator.  These individuals placed him in their boat and transported him to riverbend access area.  Ems was called and operator was transported to cmc-main er.  Operator suffered contusions to his back and right thigh during the incident. Operator stated that he had two mixed drinks earlier in the day. There was no damage to the vessel that occurred from the incident. Operator was released from the hospital on tuesday june 16th, 2020.
  
  In conclusion this incident was caused by reckless operation, operator inattention, and lack of proper lookout. The operator was charged with operating a motorboat in a reckless manner (g.s. 75a-10(a)). The operator of vessel one sustained minor injuries to his back and right leg as a result of this incident. Vessel one received no discernible damage during the incident.
  
  *******note:  the operator had consumed alcohol earlier in the day.  However, this was not a causing factor in the incident*****
  
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