SYNOPSIS

On August 27, 2023, I, Ranger, was notified by Park Superintendent at approximately 4:20 pm that there was an incident at Carlsbad Lake. When I arrived on scene I met with Lieutenant with Carlsbad Fire Department. He brought me to the operator of the vessel who told me he was towing Victim behind his boat when he slowed down because of a vessel towing another tuber in front of him. He said when he slowed down he believes Victim and the tube went outside of the wake of the boat, causing Victim to impact the center concrete pillar of the railroad tracks. The incident was reported to have occurred at the North Canal Street Bridge. Victim was transported to Carlsbad Medical Center with a laceration to her head.

NARRATIVE

Operator told me he was towing his girlfriend, Victim, behind his boat. While towing Victim, he slowed down because of a vessel towing another tuber was in front of him. He said when he slowed down, Victim and the tube went outside of the wake of the boat causing Victim to impact the center concrete pillar of the railroad bridge. However, the incident occurred at the North Canal Street bridge. Also, I was told by Lt. that when he responded to the call, the boaters were at the North Canal Street bridge. When asked, Operator said he was traveling east in a straight line at approximately 20 m.p.h. Operator said that he did not know what happened until he heard his passenger and observer scream. When he realized what occurred he could see Victim lying in the water face-down. He said drove up close to her, jumped out of the boat, and swam to Victim without a life jacket. He turned her face--up in the water. He said he was screaming for help and occupant was blowing the horn. Victim did lose consciousness after making impact with the concrete pillar. The vessel ahead of Operator noticed that something had happened and came to help. Operator said that they took Victim into their vessel and took her to meet with Emergency Medical Services at the boat ramp. Operator was having a difficult time swimming but was able to make it back to his vessel. He then followed the vessel with Victim back to the docking area. When he returned to the docking area he was instructed to stay on scene until I arrived. Operator said that the weather was nice and clear, but that the water was choppy from other vessels. 

Operator said he has owned and operated vessel's for about ten years and that everything on his vessel was in good operating condition. Operator had a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type 3 personal flotation device for everyone on board, a sound-producing device, bailing bucket, tow rope, fire extinguisher, and a skier down flag. I did not see any alcohol on board of the vessel and did not suspect Operator of consuming alcohol before or during operation of the vessel. 

After Operator was released from the scene, I went to the scene of the incident and took photographs of the overall area and close-ups of the concrete pillar. On the concrete pillar there was a spot with hair stuck to the concrete. From there I went to the Carlsbad Medical Center where Victim was transported to. She was awake, conscious, and coherent. I asked her what she remembered. She said she only recalled being on the tube and that she thought she had a seizure. Then she woke up in the hospital. 

With no sign of negligent operation no citations were issued.

Lake Carlsbad
Carlsbad                      