RedactedNarrative: The incident involved a barefoot water skier that was being towed in Zone #4 at Berlin reservoir which is a narrow open zone adjacent to the outdoor club property. The victim was being towed southwest through the zone at approximately 25 mph when he swung around on the ski rope near the shoreline and hit a tree that was laying down into the water from the shoreline. 
  
  This tree is not a new obstacle in the area as it is weathered and has water logged branches on it. It appears to have been laying down into the water protruding out (Approx. 30 feet) from the shoreline due to soil erosion on the embankment.  
  
  It is not uncommon for boats to operate near this side of the shoreline due to the deeper portion of the river channel follows the side of the lake through this narrow area. The boat owner/operator was also injured on top of his head (he received stitches at the ER) from diving in to help the victim after turning back around to retrieve the unconscious skier laying face down in the water. 
  
  The other two occupants on the boat also assisted the injured skier who re-gained consciousness as they got him up onto the swim platform of the ski boat. Deerfield EMS transported the victim from the private boat ramp to Canton Mercy Hospital, but while in route to the hospital the victim went into cardiac arrest. 
  
  EMT’s conducted CPR on the victim while in route and once at the hospital the ER staff attempt to work on the victim for approximately 25 minutes before he was pronounced dead at the ER. The victim’s immediate family members arrived at the hospital before NRO’s arrived to Canton Mercy for the investigation. The investigation is still ongoing at this time.
  
  After interviewing the involved parties this group of skiers including the victim have years of experience barefoot water skiing at Berlin reservoir. They are regulars skiing in this particular area of Berlin reservoir as well according to the boat operator and other two occupants. Also there is a phone video of the incident that was recorded by an occupant onboard the ski boat at the request of the victim who was barefoot skiing.
  