On Monday, October 2, 2023 at approximately 12:15 p.m., I, Cpl., was notified of a boating accident on Lake Darbonne in Union Parish. At approximately 3:15 p.m., I made contact with Operator at his residence. Operator stated he was traveling east in the channel when he took his hand off the throttle handle and the vessel hit a small wave and took a sharp left hand turn ejecting Operator into the water. Operator was operating a Stick Steering vessel. Operator was not wearing his kill lanyard. The vessel began going around in circles at half throttle. Operator's vessel struck him two times while he was trying to swim away. A subject in a vessel nearby heard him yelling for help and came to rescue him from out of the water.

            Union Parish Sheriffs Office and (EMS) arrived on scene after he was picked up by the other vessel. When Union Parish Deputies arrived on scene with a patrol vessel they were able to secure Operator's vessel. When they arrived the vessel was still going around in circles at a lower rate of throttle at this time. Operator refused treatment from EMS at the scene. Operator later received medical care at the Bernice Hospital for two broken bones in his foot.

            Operator was wearing his life jacket when he was thrown from his vessel. Operator did not have his kill switch lanyard hooked to his person. There was one injury to Operator from the boating accident. No suspected alcohol use. The causing factor for the boating accident was the vessel taking a sharp turn throwing him outside the vessel. No visible damage to the vessel was observed.
Lake Darbonne
Farmerville                   