RedactedNarrative: On Tuesday, July 20th, 2021, at approximately 1658hrs a single vessel accident occurred on the Blackwater River, North of Russell Harbor Park and West of Navy Boat Docks (Whiting Park). The vessel was a Mastercraft ski boat with 5 occupants on board. There was one major and one minor injury. The accident potentially occurred due to the vessel striking a submerged fixed object or a partially submerged floating object such as a tree stump or a floating tree or log.
  PRE-ACCIDENT (Collision) – 
  V-1 traveled upriver at approximately 25mph. V-1 took a hard right (starboard) turn toward the southern riverbank. Witnesses on a different vessel stated they saw the operator attempting to correct the turn. V-1 Operator stated he tried to avoid a crash by correcting steerage towards port side, taking the engine out of gear, and cutting power to the engine. Witnesses and V-1 Operator both suggested a possibility of mechanical failure with the steering components. The angle of impact was between 35 and 45 degrees. 
  ACCIDENT (Collision) – 
  Initial point of impact (POI) was V-1 starboard side gunwale 2ft behind the bow into a Southern Magnolia tree on the southern shore of the Blackwater River. V-1 then ran aground as a secondary collision a few feet East of the tree. V-1 continued to move Southeast onto the riverbank and struck multiple small trees and bushes until the entire vessel was out of the water. V-1 Occupant 1 stated that she was launched forward and to the port side upon impact. Her body acted as a shield from the falling tower and Bimini top for the two children seated next to her. The fall inflicted minor cuts to the upper portion of the back of her legs. V-1 Operator’s leg struck the handle of the fire extinguisher which inflicted a laceration to the lower portion of his left leg. The final resting position of V-1 was facing South completely out of water on the southern bank.
  POST ACCIDENT (Collision) -    
  V-1 Operator checked on all the occupants and moved them out of the boat onto the riverbank. The witness vessel came to check on the occupants of V-1 and ferried them to Whiting Park to await EMS and Fire/ Rescue. Another witness remained with V-1 to keep personal belongings from being stolen. The witnesses left V-1 occupants with EMS and traveled upriver. We arrived on scene as the witness vessel pulled away and I spoke to Fire/ Rescue and told them we would return shortly and that no one should leave until we returned. I interviewed the witnesses and gathered their contact information. We returned to Whiting Park and interviewed the V-1 occupants. 
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on evidence and information gathered to date, the cause of the accident is inconclusive. Operator fault cannot be ruled out, nor is there evidence to prove the accident was a result of careless operation.  The propeller had significant damage to one of the blades which could be from hitting an object that caused the accident, or it could have occurred when the vessel became beached on the riverbank. In conclusion, the most plausible cause of the boating accident is that its hull or rudder struck a submerged fixed object or a partially submerged floating object such as a tree stump or a floating tree or log.; OCCUPANT 1 had minor scratches on her posterior upper thighs and claimed they were from the ski tower falling on her during the boating accident.; OPERATOR 1 had a laceration to his left leg below the knee. Fire/Rescue and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were both on scene prior to my arrival and had assessed OP1’s injury and applied first aid to the wound. EMS advised that the leg would need stitches. OP1 declined transport to the emergency room and decided he would drive himself to Urgent Care.
  