RedactedNarrative: On May 1, 2018, at approximately 5:15 pm, Pitt County Emergency received a call regarding a boat incident.  The boat was heading west toward the Port Terminal Access Area.  The incident occurred on the Tar River between the Port Terminal Access Area and Yankee Hall, in Pitt County.  The vessel that was in the incident was a 22ft 9in, 2009 Riddick 2290 Bay Runner with a 115 hp outboard motor.  The vessel was operated by owner and had 2 young children and a dog onboard.  It appears that the cause of the incident would be machinery failure in the steering system, which led to Operator losing control of the vessel and striking a tree on the starboard side of the vessel, resulting in half of the vessel grounded on land and half of the vessel under water. 
  
  Operator stated that he and his 2 children put the vessel in the water at Port Terminal earlier in the day, proceeded up stream towards Washington but stopping many times along the way to fish.  Once arrived at Washington, they docked the vessel and went to Bill's Hot dogs to get something to eat.  After eating at Bill's Hot dogs, they went to get ice cream but the store was not opened.  Operator then let his children play in the water by the Island on the waterfront for approximately 30 minutes. While heading back west to Port Terminal Access Area, shortly after passing Yankee Hall , Operator said he felt like he possibly struck something under the water; which then led to striking the starboard side of the vessel, a tree, and the bank.  The children were wearing their personal floatation devices but were thrown around the vessel.  The t-top on the vessel was ripped completely off the vessel into the water.  The vessel finally came to a complete stop. Half of the vessel was grounded on the bank; the other half was submerged under water.
  
  Operator contacted 911 and emergency services arrived on scene.  Greenville Fire and Rescue also assisted.  Pitt county Emergency manager contacted me, the dispatch in Raleigh also contacted me regarding in incident.  Officers proceeded to the scene by vessel.  They took pictures of the vessel and secured the personal belongings.
  
  I then proceeded to Vidant Emergency Medical Center where I came in contact with family members of Operator and his children.  Operator was not available for contact when I first arrived at the Medical center, so I went to speak to a family members in the male child's room.  I spoke with the grandfather briefly before heading back to speak with Operator before he went into the OR for emergency surgery.  As I proceeded to speak with Operator about the incident, he told me what he could remember from launching the boat into the water until striking an object and not being able to control the steering.  I also asked him if I could speak with his children with an adult present and he said yes that would be fine.  After speaking with Operator for approximately 5 minutes, I left so they could get him into the OR.  I then went back to the male child's room and we talked this day and he asked me if I could fix his boat.  The young child was only 4.  I then proceeded to leave Vidant Medical Center.
  
  Operator sustained injuries to his neck and face and was rushed into the OR for surgery.  The male child had injuries to his face which needed 3-4 stitches.  The female child had a skull fracture and injuries to her face which needed 5-6 stitches.  The damage to the vessel was approximately $8000 to $10000.
  
  There were no witnesses to the incident.  Received statements from two Greenville fire and rescue members.  After concluding all the evidence and statements, it appears the cause of the incident would be machinery failure in the steering system which led to striking the tree.  No one has been charged as a result of this incident.