On 12-30-23, at approximately 1526 hours, I Game Warden was contacted by Bell County dispatch advising that there was a report of an accident on Lake Belton, near Cedar Ridge Park, involving one vessel.  Dispatch further advised that a male on the vessel was bloody around his nose a face.  Dispatch also advised a deputy was enroute to the scene.  I checked enroute to the location. 

I arrived on scene at approximately 1545 hours.  Upon arrival I observed a white Skeeter bass boat operating back to the Cedar Ridge boat ramp and the bow remained up in the air, not getting on plane. The vessel appeared to be damaged.  I made contacted with a white male who was bloody from his nose and mouth.  

I asked Operator1 what had happened.  Operator1 stated that he was in a fishing tournament and was coming back to the Cedar Ridge boat ramp for weigh in at 1500 hours.  Operator1 stated as he was making the hair pin turn to his left, coming around the point, from the main lake, and he was on his chines (on plane).  Operator1 stated his boat began to skid across the water.  Operator1 stated that his boat chines caught the water and slung his boat straight into a rock wall on the shoreline.  The vessel was wedged underneath an extremely large boulder.  Operator1 stated that the impact threw him forward into his steering wheel causing damage to his nose and face. 

I observed that while talking with Operator1 he was wearing his life jacket, his thoughts were fluid, and he was aware of his surroundings.  I detected no odor of alcohol, signs of drug use, or any type of impairment. I explained to Operator1 that I had EMS enroute to our location to assess his condition.  Once EMS arrived on scene Operator1 refused treatment.

I processed the vessel taking pictures of the exterior and interior of the vessel.  I ran the vessel and Operator1 through Austin Communications.  Communications emailed all requested documentation to me.    

Operator1 was asked to produce his certificate of number which showed the vessel in his name.  Operator1 also produced his valid fishing license.

I asked several of the fisherman assisting Operator1 if they observed the crash.  All advised no one had seen the accident occur.  They all pulled up shortly after it occurred and assisted Operator1 in getting his boat free from underneath the large boulder.  Warden located one individual who had taken pictures at the crash scene and a short video.  Warden requested all the videos and photos be text to his work phone.  The individual complied with the request.

Prior to clearing the scene I obtained photos of Operator1s injuries to his face and photos of his vehicle used to transport his damaged vessel.


NFI
0061 BELTON (BELL CO)
TEMPLE                        