On 7/16/2023, at approximately 17:45 on lake norman, subject was being transported back to his vessel from an area commonly known as the sandbar.  He had anchored his vessel earlier that day 577 yards from the sandbar.  He asked subject1 to give him a ride back to his vessel.  She was on a borrowed pwc and stated she was the operator and the safety lanyard was attached to her wrist.  

On approach to his vessel, subject1 circled the anchored vessel and subject2 told her to slow down.  The pwc came to rest at the stern of his vessel.  The pwc was turned off and subject2 threw his phone onto the rear of his boat.  

Subject1 said the pws immediately became unsteady, possibly due to the wakes from other boats in the aea or from his movement.  The pwc then capsized and they both ended up in the water.  Subject1 stated she held onto the ski in the water but could not see subject2 anymore.  She began yelling for help and another pwc came to her assistance.  Subject1 and the pwc she was operating were taken to shore and a search began for subject2.

Nc wildlife officers arrived on scene at approximately 18:20. Subject1 said she was wearing a pfd at the time of the incident, and thought subject2 had one on too.  Subject2' body was recovered at 21:14 about 40 yards off the stern of his anchored vessel with no pfd.  The operator of the pwc had not been drinking and a toxicology report on subject2 has been requested.  The pwc had all required safety equipment on board.  The fire extinguisher was not charged.  The operator of the pwc wasn't injured.

Vessel 1 operator was charged with having an uncharged fire extinguisher on the pwc.


LAKKE NORMAN
CORNELIUS                     