RedactedNarrative: On 07/24/2016 at 10:52 p.m., I CPO was notified of a serious injury boat accident that occurred near the Illinois River in an area known as Mobile Spar.  The boat was tied up below Valley City in Pike County.  The 3 subjects on board had been transported to Illini Hospital In Pittsfield.  I went to the Pittsfield Hospital.  CPO was also notified and he went to the boats location.
  
      Operator1 gave the following account of the accident.  He stated he had just had the airboat built in Texas and was learning how to operate it.  They had gone up a creek from the Illinois River.  A tree blocked their way.  He turned the boat around and was coming back to the river.  He was going about 5 mph.  
  
  A sharp turn  to the right needed to be made and he increased speed to push air past the rudders to turn.  The boat didn’t turn all the way.  The left front corner went into the bank and a tree hanging over the water.  Everyone was thrown forward and out of the boat.  
  
  Occupant1 hit a tree and landed on the bank and half in the water.  Occupant2 was thrown out into the water.  Operator1 went over the front into the water and some limbs.  When asked how many hours operating a boat Operator1 replied He had a lot of experience operating boats.  I asked how many hours operating an airboat.  He replied less than 2 hours.  They were out riding around getting used to the boat.  He advised Occupant1 needed help.  They loaded Occupant1 into boat and headed down river to the first house and called for help.  Occupant2 held Occupant1 as they went down the river.
  
       Occupant2 stated they went up the river and saw an inlet on the boats gps.  They went up the inlet about a block.  They stopped for about 10 minutes then headed back to the river.  The left front corner of the boat hit the bank.  Everyone was thrown out.  He landed in about 2'' of water.  He jumped back into the boat and helped get Occupant1 back in the boat.  He held Occupant1 as they headed down river to get help.
  
  Occupant1 suffered from head injuries, collapsed lung and lacerations.  He was transported to Illini Hospital Pittsfield then to Memorial Hospital In Springfield by ambulance.
  
  Occupant2 suffered a broken left hand.  2 bones in hand were broken.  Also, a bruise on left thigh.
  
  Operator1 suffered a scratch/bruise under left arm and across chest.  He had a bruise on his right thigh.