RedactedNarrative: Operator was operating his vessel on Laurel River Lake at night when he struck the island in front of Grove Marina and was fatally injured. Witnesses were near the mouth of line creek, in view of the Island in front of Grove Marina. They stated they heard a boat coming down the lake from the Flatwoods / High-top Boat Ramp area, and then heard a crash. They went to the accident scene where they found Operator floating in the water just to the north of the island. They attempted to revive him, called 911 and met WhitleyCounty EMS at Grove Marina.
  
  Whitley County Emergency Units responded to the scene, provided assistance to the witnesses, victim, and searched for other persons that were reported to have been involved by dispatch. Shortly after the arrival of F&W Units it was established that Operator was the sole occupant of the vessel.
  
  Operator had contusion on his head, and other trauma related injuries according to EMS personnel on scene, and was pronounced deceased by Whitley County Coroner at the Grove Marina Boat Ramp, and his body was transported to the Coroner’s Office. Operator's vessel was found adrift and running by witnesses, and emergency responders anchored it to prevent it fro drifting away. Operator's vessel did not have GPS, the navigation lights appeared to have been on and installed at the time of the accident. 
  
  The Stern Light was not recovered, but was reported to have been seen floating under the surface of the lake. Attempts to recover the light the night of the accident by Woodbine Rescue were unsuccessful. The front fishing seat was installed in the front pedestal mount, with the seat back in the UP position. The steering components appeared to be in serviceable condition. The vessel was towed to Grove Marina, loaded onto the trailer and stored in the Grove Marina Dry Dock building until the next date when it was photographed and released. Operator's wife advised he had wanted to go night fishing as he had not been in a while, but he was familiar with the lake.
  
  Upon inspection of the scene during daylight, it was found that the Navigation Aid marking the rocks between the island and the shore was missing. Divers from the Laurel County Rescue Squad searched the accident scene the next date, and recovered Operator's Watch, Glasses, pliers and snips. They reported a small debris field of gel coat from the vessel on the north side of the rocks, near where Operator was recovered.
  
  Use of Intoxicants was not suspected.
  
  
  