On July 1, 2023, at approximately 6:15 pm WCO was patrolling Lake Kampeska.  WCO observed vessel one (V1) heading south along the east shore of Lake Kampeska.  V1 had two young individuals sitting on the bow of the V1.  

WCO initiated a stop on V1 for careless operation (bow riding).   As V1 was brought to a stop by Operator 1 (O1), passenger 1 (P1) was thrown from the bow of V1.  P1 hit her head on the bow of V1 as she fell into the water.  WCO yelled at O1 to stop V1.  

O1 put V1 into reverse.  WCO yelled at O1 to raise the motor.  P1 came out just to the port side of the motor, only a moment after it had been in reverse.  

P1 swam back to V1 and was brought into V1 by O1.  WCO explained the reason for the stop on V1 to O1.  O1 agreed that is for the best and it will never happen again.   

P3 stated that P1 was starting to bleed from the back of her head and may require stitches.  WCO gave P3 a gauze bandage to place onto the back of P1’s head.  WCO issued a warning to O1 and broke contact, so they could get P1 to the hospital to be examined.  The whole incident was captured on WCO’s body camera.  There was a total of eight people on V1.

On July 1, 2023, at approximately 8:00 pm, WCO call O1 to see if P1 had sought medical treatment.  O1 said that P1 had to have three staples placed into the back of her head.  WCO informed O1 that a boat accident report needed to be completed.

On July 2, 2023, at approximately 4:00 pm, WCO filled out a boat accident form for the incident.

LAKE KAMPESKA
WATERTOWN                     