Prelude:   
I, Indiana Conservation Officer 1, investigated a single vessel boating accident on Patoka Lake that resulted in moderate injury to the passenger.    
   
Involved Persons:   
Operator – Owner/Operator  
Passenger – Passenger/Victim  
   
Details of Investigation/Incident:   
On August 20, 2023 I was dispatched to a call about a PWC accident that occurred at Patoka Lake.  Jasper Memorial Hospital security notified ICO Central Dispatch at 8:57PM about a female patient that was being transported by ambulance to Deaconess Hospital in Evansville after sustaining unknown injuries from a PWC accident on Patoka Lake.  I responded to Deaconess Midtown ER and spoke to a nurse that had treated the patient, who was identified as Passenger.  The nurse said Passenger was in surgery at the time and was not able to speak to me.She advised that Passenger sustained fractured ribs and was undergoing surgery on her stomach as a result of the accident.  No family or witnesses were available to speak to at the hospital.  I then called Passenger's phone and left a voicemail requesting a callback when she was available to talk.    
   
On August 21,2023 Passenger called back, and I conducted a phone interview with her.  Passenger said that she was a passenger on a PWC that was being driven by the owner and operator.  Passenger said at approximately 12:00 PM they were driving in a straight line when a wave caused the PWC to roll and knock her and Operator off.  Passenger said that she did not contact the PWC as she was ejected from the vessel.  She said that another nearby vessel collected the PWC and brought it back to them after the accident.  Passenger and Operator were both wearing PFDs at the time of the accident and Operator was wearing his emergency engine stop lanyard.  Passenger told me that she stayed with friends on a nearby pontoon boat for the duration of the day after the accident.  When they got off the water for the day, Passenger had a friend drive her to the hospital.  Jasper Memorial Hospital then transferred her to Deaconess Midtown Hospital in Evansville.  Passenger explained that she had surgery on her stomach which was perforated as a result of the accident, however she had a gastric bypass surgery 6 to 8 months prior to the accident.  Passenger said she was going to have to stay in the hospital for a couple days to recover from the surgery before she would be released.    
   
On August 23, 2023 I called and spoke to Operator.  Operator said he was driving the PWC in a straight line and then a large wave hit them in the side and caused the PWC to tip ejecting him and Passenger.  Operator didn't think the accident was that serious at the time, and was surprised when Passenger went to the hospital later that day.  No damage was done to the PWC, which was identified as a 2004 Kawasaki Jet-Ski.    
 
Patoka Lake
Birdseye                      