RedactedNarrative: On August 26, 2017 at approximately 11:00 am, a boating incident occurred in the Hicks Creek area on Lake Norman near Troutman.  (V1) was operating a Kawasaki Ultra 250 PWC heading west while leaving the Hicks Creek area and preparing to enter the main channel of Lake Norman.  His friend, (V2), was operating a Bombardier RXT 255 PWC and was traveling the same direction in tandem.  Both vessels were owned by their operators.  (V1) was the stand-on vessel and slowed down due to a wake from the main channel traveling west.  (V2) struck (V1) on the stern.
  (V1) was traveling west preparing to enter the main channel of Lake Norman out of Hicks Creek.  (V1) had to slow down due to a large wake coming from boat traffic off the main channel.  (V2) was traveling in tandem behind (V1).  Both PWCS estimated their speed to be approximately 35 mph.  When (V1) slowed down, (V2) operator was not paying attention and collided with the stern of (V1).  The hull of (V2) struck the stern of (V1) causing it to flare off to the starboard side while also striking (V1) operator on the forehead.  (V1) operator was ejected from his PWC.  Other vessel operators in the area assisted him immediately.  A pontoon boat nearby gave assistance to all parties involved and assisted them back to Lake Norman State Park Access Area.  911 was contacted and emergency personnel responded to the scene along with a State Park Ranger.  (V1) operator was transported to Lake Norman Hospital and was treated for his injuries.  Due to the blunt force impact, he was checked for additional bodily trauma as well.  He was released later that evening after being treated for a laceration to the forehead, concussion, and bruises.  (V2's) operator did not get injured in the collision.
  The analysis of the damage on both PWCS indicated that (V2) had struck (V1) on the stern causing it to flare off to the starboard side of (V1) and striking (V1) operator.  There was a minimal amount of damage to (V1) being only the rear handle bar.  (V2) had very little noticeable damage to the hull.  Both operators and passengers were wearing their PFD and kill switch lanyard.  Alcohol was not a contributing factor.
  
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