RedactedNarrative: On May 12th 2018 at approximately 12:06cst a call was dispatched out to Sgt. in reference to a vessel that was on fire at the Halcomb’s Landing boat ramp on Lake Cumberland. Sgt. arrived on scene at approximately 12:50cst where he found the 19 foot, Wellcraft runabout, (KY 0195 VP), also from this point will be referred to as Vessel 1.  Vessel 1 was in flames on the water just off the launching ramp area. Sgt. took a statement from the non-injured operator of Vessel  1. Victim1 was an injured passenger on Vessel 1 during the fire, and was transported from the scene by Russell County EMS. Victim1 was later flown to Louisville for further treatment. The South Russell Volunteer Fire Department along with Marine Assist pulled the vessel to shore and extinguished the flames on the boat. Sgt. photographed the damage sustained to Vessel 1.  Brumley's Wrecker Service towed the vessel once the flames were extinguished, and all photographs had been taken. Sgt. left the scene at approximately 14:48cst. 
  
  Sgt. contacted me (Officer) and informed me of the boat accident that had taken place. Sgt. disseminated all the information and photographs he had pertaining to the case and I then took the case over. I made contact with Victim1 as a statement was not obtained from him on the day of the accident due to him leaving the scene for medical treatment. Victim1 stated, that the vessel had been fueled up prior to the arrival to Halcomb's Landing to launch the vessel.  Victim1 stated, his wife and he had a routine and each knew what the other was supposed to do while launching the vessel. 
  
  Victim1 had taken all the straps off the vessel and Victim’s wife and their dog got into the vessel and proceeded to start the boat and lower the outdrive. Victim1 stated, his wife told him the trim wasn't working properly; it wouldn't lower the outdrive into the water. Victim1 climbed onto the vessel and stated, he could hear the trim engaging but it wasn't lower or raising the outdrive. Victim1 stated, he then went to the back of the vessel lifted the seat and moved a section of carpet and plywood, in order to get to where he could look at the issue. Victim1 stated, he heard a large boom and flames shot into the direction of his face. Victim1 stated, he never lost consciousness and remembers jumping into waist deep water on the ramp and submerging himself to put out the flames on his arms and face. Victim1 stated, he could hear his wife telling him he needed to get the boat off the trailer. Victim1 stated, he got into his truck and backed completely into the water to get his vessel off the trailer in hopes that if it blew up it would be out on the water away from other vessels and people. I asked Victim1 about the extent of his injuries and he stated he was released from Louisville hospital after being seen by the doctor. He stated, he saw his primary care doctor a few days after the accident, and was told the burns were consistent with a severe sunburn.  Victim1 stated, he sustained burns to the top and bottom of his right forearm as well as his ears and parts of his face where his hair was singed from his eye brows and lashes. 
  
  I also contacted wife whose statement followed the same series of events as her husband's (Victim1). She did state that the blower was on and working at the time of the boat being backed into the water. She stated, she started the boat as she always does by putting the boat in neutral and priming it while starting it. She stated that everything started fine and worked properly other than the trim not working and not raising the outdrive up or down. She stated, she had not put on her life jacket yet as she always waited until the boat was off the trailer before doing so.
  
  She stated, the initial boom and burst of flames subsided some but continued to burn at a rate that she didn’t think a fire extinguisher would be able to effectively put out the fire. That’s when she told her husband they needed to get the boat off the trailer. Victim’s wife stated, once the boat was off the trailer they then went to the top of the boat ramp to wait for EMS. Victim’s wife stated, she sustained no injuries from the accident. I was contacted by the Insurance Company and gave them the contact information for Brumley’s Wrecker Service who towed the vessel in after the accident. 
  ***Vessel 1 was a total lost and damage is estimated at $9,500.00.
  ***Vessel 1 was released to the Guinn's Insurance Company days later.
  
  