RedactedNarrative: On 04/12/17 two people launched at the Riverton park boat launch on the Sangamon River at approximately 12:00pm in Operator''s 1972 16'' Lowe jon boat to check Operator''s bank poles.  At approximately 1515pm Operator struck a partially submerged tree along the bank as they drifted back down the Sangamon river at the second river bend approximately 1 mile north of the IL-54 bridge.  Operator advised he was operating the tiller 25hp engine at the speed of the river current, and Occupant was facing towards the rear of the boat at mid beam on the port side.  Operator stated Occupant fell forward out of her seat into the bottom of the boat, which resulted in a 2-3" scratch on her back from either the boat or a limb of the tree they hit.
  
  Operator stopped the boat and help Occupant back into her seat, and asked if she was alright.  Occupant told Operator she was not hurt and they continued drifting down river checking their bank poles.  They left the river at approximately 1730 and returned to Occupant''s.  Occupant''s son decided to take her to the emergency room at St. John''s Hospital at approximately 1845pm, due to her pre-existing back injury and her complaining about her back soreness.  Occupant has a metal cage in her back due to degenerative bone disease, and the ER test results at the time of this report were positive for a back sprain as reported by her son.
  
  On 04/13/17 I met with Operator and completed a vessel inspection of his jon boat, and took (2) photos of the boat which was undamaged.  Operator was given a verbal warning for having a 2016 fishing license, which he believed to be valid because he purchased it 01/01/2017.  Operator cooperated with the accident investigation, and was given a BAR to complete and return to the IDNR.
  