RedactedNarrative: This report documents a personal injury watercraft accident that occurred on the Kankakee River near One Elmwood Dr Kankakee, IL on 9/16/2021.  
  
        On 9/16/2021 at approximately 4:49 P.M. I, CPO received notification from ISP District 21 dispatch about a watercraft accident that occurred on the Kankakee River.  
  operator was traveling Westbound in his 1988 Sylvan Super Sportster when his watercraft suddenly became stuck on a sandbar located just North of 1 Elmwood Dr, Kankakee IL. The sandbar was submerged approximately 1ft below the surface of the water which can be hard to detect by boaters who do not frequent this specific section of the Kankakee River.  Subject attempted to free his boat from the sandbar by trimming his motor up and using a paddle to push off the sandbar, while standing inside the watercraft.  After several failed attempts, he turned off his motor and trimmed it up before entering the water.  The propeller was trimmed up near the surface of the water.  He tried to free his watercraft by hand from the front/bow, but was unsuccessful.  Operator moved to the rear of the watercraft while the motor was trimmed up in an attempt to break his watercraft free.  Operator pushed on the transom portion of the watercraft and eventually pushed the watercraft into deeper water.  Operator instructed his wife to turn on the watercraft and put it in gear as the motor was trimmed up and being pushed into deeper water.  Operator attempted to walk to the starboard side of the watercraft and lost his footing. When Operator lost his footing his right knee and upper leg made contact with the propeller of the watercraft as it was rotating.  Operator noticed that her husband was in distress and immediately turned off the ignition.
   
       Operator sustained significant trauma to his right knee and upper right leg due to the impact with the propeller.  One of the boat passengers identified as witness utilized a tee shirt as a tourniquet and secured it to his''s leg to stop the bleeding.  A witness later identified was in his back yard mowing when the incident occurred. He heard screaming and he immediately notified 911. He entered the water on foot to render assistance and  tightened the tourniquet that was applied.  Aroma Park Fire Department and Aroma Park Police Department arrived on scene, entered the river and began treatment on the victim.  EMS reapplied a new tourniquet and transported the victim to Riverside Hospital.  Victim1''s watercraft and the passengers were towed to Island View Marina.
   
       Victim's injuries were treated and assessed by doctors at Riverside Hospital.  At approximately 7:22 P.M. Riverside medical personnel elected to fly him to Carle Hospital in Champaign, IL to be treated by a tissue reconstruction specialist. Victim1 is currently in stable condition and all necessary immediate family members have been notified about the incident. 
   
       At approximately 7:31 P.M. I met with witness at his residence near the scene of the accident. He pointed out the exact location where the incident occurred.  I stood on top of a hill and could see where the large/submerged sandbar was located from his property.  His statement (attached) was consistent with the verbal statements that were provided at Riverside hospital.   I briefly interviewed others while at Riverside hospital and did not detect any signs of impairment.
   
       9/21/21 I spoke with operator and she advised that her husband was slated to depart Carle hospital later that day.  Due to some complications, he was held at the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
   
   
       9/30/21 I met with witness at Island View Marina to obtain a written statement form (Attached).  I also spoke with the victim on the pho…