RedactedNarrative: This accident occurred on the busy holiday weekend on July 4 2021. The accident occurred in the area of Emery Bay on Hungry Horse Reservoir.  It was towards the end of the day and the occupants of the boat had been swimming in different spots all day and also using a surf board towed behind vessel #1 (V1).  
  
  They were going for one last surf of the day.  The operator of the boat (OP) was towing a youth swimmer (S2) on the surf board.  S2 fell off of the surf board.  OP turned the boat back towards S2 to pick them up.  As OP approached he disengaged the forward throttle and quickly put V1 into reverse to slow the boats approach.  
  
  OP was unaware that a youth swimmer (S1) had jumped off the stern of the boat to go for a swim.  As OP was backing up he noticed S1 at the bow of the boat screaming that their leg was injured.  The occupants of V1 pulled S1 into the boat and noticed severe wounds on the leg of S1. It appeared to them that S1 had gone under the stern of the boat and was struck by the propeller. One of the occupants applied a tourniquet to S1's leg.  One occupant (O1) called 9-1-1 to report the injury.  OP took V1 to the Doris Point boat launch and met with the USFS camp hosts and S1 was transported via Alert Helicopter to the hospital.
  
  I arrived on scene shortly after the first responders had left.  I met with the responding deputy.  He stated that he did not detect any violations during his time on scene.  He stated that he did not see any alcohol on the boat or detect alcohol or impairment from alcohol on OP or the other occupants. I called Flathead County Sheriff Dispatch and received a copy of the report.  There was minimal information in the report and it did not include any information of the occupants or victims of the accident.  There were several phone numbers listed on the report.  Over several weeks and many unreturned phone calls I was able to get basic information on of the details of this accident.
  
  The cause of this accident was an improper spotter.  There were multiple occupants of the boat that would be adequate for a spotter required by law.  None of the occupants in the boat notified OP that a swimmer had jumped into the water. OP was unaware of the swimmer in the water when he put V1 in reverse.  According to OP, S1 had been jumping into the water randomly throughout the day.
  
  According to OP, both S1 and S2 were wearing type III pfds. The adult occupants were not wearing pfds but there were pfd's available for them on the vessel.  During the follow up interview OP stated that they were not drinking alcohol that day.
  	
  I am unable to obtain contact or other information from S1 or the legal guardians of S1.  The father of S1 and S2 was on the boat during the accident.  One of the phone numbers provided to me in the Sheriffs incident report was that of the father according to FWP ALS records.  That number has since been disconnected and my phone calls have not been returned by these individuals.  I have been unable to locate the individuals.  There were other occupants on the boat that I have been unable to obtain contact information for.  I was able to contact OP and O1.
  
  According to the information I have at this time, there is no violation that has occurred and no citations have been issued for violations of Montana state boating laws.
  