SYNOPSIS 

Twelve individuals on a rented pontoon boat were involved in boating incident during a high wind event resulting in three injuries and no fatalities. 

NARRATIVE

On June 20 2023, at approximately 1300 hours, I, Marine Enforcement Officer, was informed by Park Superintendent of a boating incident involving injuries that had occurred on June 17, 2023. Reporting person submitted an email detailing the incident. Subject1 also submitted photos of injuries to her leg. The incident involved eight children and four adults aboard Vessel A. Three adults were injured during this incident. 

Based off interviews with the victims, I was able to determine that Vessel A, left Marina del Sur at about 1215 hours and headed east. Operator1 found an unspecified place with low traffic to stop the vessel and let the children swim around. 

The weather was fine up until this point and then the wind started, blowing causing waves with white caps. All the children in the water made it back on Vessel A except for 3. The wind started separating the children from Vessel A.  

Operator1 jumped in the water to assist the children. They were about 25-30 yards away from Vessel A. One person was able to make it back to Vessel A. Due to exhaustion and the waves caused by the wind, Operator1 started to have difficulty swimming. He yelled for a life jacket to be thrown to him and that is when another person jumped in the water to bring him a life jacket and also help his son. 

Shortly after, Subject1 jumped in the water as well. juvenile saw the adults in the water and that's when he started Vessel A and moved it over to the adults. 

Operator1 and two others were able to board Vessel A. Subject1 used her body to protect subject2 from the drifting Vessel A and was struck by the pontoon on her right leg. 

Operator1 then pulled subject2 and Subject1 onto Vessel A. At about 1300 hours they headed back to the docks at Marina del Sur, where they met with an ambulance. Subject1 was treated for severe bruising to her right leg and scratches behind her knee on her right calf. She was also treated for inhaling water. Two people were evaluated for inhaling water. 

Elephant Butte Lake
Elephant Butte                