RedactedNarrative: On 9/4/17 at approximately 6:00pm, a boating incident occurred on flat swamp creek, high rock lake 1 mile southwest of the hwy 8 bridge in davidson county, nc.  The personal watercraft (vessel 1) was a green and white 8-foot, 1995 sea-doo sp with a 55 hp inboard motor.  The registration number is sc 1997 ar. The pwc was owned by subject1 and was being operated by operator.  Operator was operating the pwc alone at the time of the incident.   It appears that the cause of the incident was ignition of spilled fuel or vapors which led to the explosion.  During the explosion, operator was ejected 10 feet in the air and she landed behind the pwc in the water.
  
  Earlier in the day, operator and a group of others launched their vessels at flat swamp boating access area on high rock lake.  Operator and others had been operating the pwc prior to the incident.  Operator was operating the pwc for the second time during the day when the incident occurred.  While operating the pwc, the engine spontaneously cut off near her group's pontoon boat (vessel 2). 
  
   While attempting to start the pwc, it tilted on the port side and she slid off.  Operator was wearing a type iii pfd and her ignition safety lanyard.  The pwc did not completely turn over, it returned upright.  Operator reboarded the pwc and continued attempting to start it.  Witnesses were both swimming near the pontoon boat when they observed operator having difficulties starting the pwc.  At this time, subject2 began swimming over to help operator.  Witness 3, jumped in the water from the pontoon boat to help operator start the pwc.  Operator continued to try to start the pwc as they swam towards her.
  
  Once subject2 was approximately 5 feet from the pwc, it exploded.  When the  explosion occurred, operator was ejected approximately 10 feet straight up in the air before landing behind the pwc in the water.  During the explosion, subject2 turned her head and covered her face to avoid injury.  Subject2 was not injured due to the incident.  
  
  Witness3 then swam over and helped operator back to the pontoon boat.  At this time, it did not appear that operator had any severe injuries.  A ski boat, vessel 3, that was also with the group stayed with the burning pwc while the pontoon boat went back to flat swamp boating access area so operator could receive medical attention.
  
  Ems arrived on scene and took operator to lexington medical center in lexington, nc.  Once the pwc stopped burning, the ski boat towed it back to flat swamp boating access area.  Davidson county so deputy stayed with the group involved until mo arrived.  Mo arrived on scene at approximately 6:55pm and began speaking with witnesses and obtained witness statements.  After obtaining those statements, mo assessed and documented damages to the pwc.  The pwc was located on the concrete boat ramp at flat swamp boating access area.  Mo observed the pwc had severe fire damage and smelled the strong odor of gasoline.  The explosion had completely separated the fiberglass hull, destroyed the entire engine compartment, the steering components and seat.  Mo did not observe a fire extinguisher on board and was able to read the hul id number.  The pwc was a total loss with estimated damages of $2,000.00
  
  After assessing damages to the pwc and obtaining witness statements, mo then went to lexington medical center to speak with operator, assess injuries, and obtain witness statements.  Mo spoke with the emergency room doctor who stated that operator sustained minor injuries as a result of this incident.  She had lacerations on her left ankle which required stitches, a small cut on the right side of her nose, and minor abdominal pain.  Operator was treated and released later that evening.
  
  It appears that the cause of the incident was ignition of spilled fuel or vapor which led to the explosion.  The explosion caused operator to be ejected from the pwc and sustained minor injuries that required medical treatment.  Operator did not have a nasba approved boating safety certification.  Although operator admitted to consuming alcohol, it does not appear that alcohol and/or drugs were a contributing factor in this incident.  No one has been charged as a result of this incident.
  
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