On May 6th 2023 two personal watercrafts collided near Ft. George Inlet.  V1 while traveling at a high rate of speed made contact with V2 and ramped over V2. Both personal watercraft were occupied by one operator.  Both operators were ejected post collision.  The operator of V2 was transported to Shands hospital with injuries.

	On May 6th 2023 I, Officer was dispatched to a boating accident near Ft. George Inlet. The call originated at 1501 hours, I arrived on scene at approximately 1530 hours. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) Officer was on scene and obtained information from both operators. Officer advised that two personal watercraft collided near Ft. George Inlet in Duval County and one individual was transported to Shands downtown Jacksonville.  He advised that the operator that was transported did not have any indicators of impairment.  

Officers arrived shortly after I arrived on scene to assist.  JSO and Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) were already on scene and had transported the personal watercraft to the nearest boat ramp at Alimicani.  I identified the owner of the vessels who advised he is a family friend and loaned the personal watercraft to the operators.  

Operator1 said that they were traveling 40 miles an hour in open water.  She said that V2 stopped abruptly and she collided with V2 then went over the top of V2. Both operators were ejected and were temporarily unconscious.  

Operator1 came to and found the operator of V2 unconscious and held her head out of the water.  I asked if they collided with a sandbar and Operator1 said after she was ejected she was swimming.  She advised she found out after swimming for awhile she could touch the bottom and the water came up to her mid chest. She said that they moved to the sandbar after the collision however they did not collide with a sandbar.  I asked if she had a boaters safety identification card and she said she is aware that she needed one and was going to take the class but hadn't got around to it yet. Operator1 did not show any signs of impairment.
 
	I inspected both personal watercraft. Officer assisted by recording the weather conditions as well as other information at the scene.  Officer obtained a witness statement from Operator1.  Officer traveled to Shands downtown to interview the Operator of V2. Operator had fluid in her lungs and required blood. She had an MRI and the nurse advised that there were no broken bones.  Lt. updated the critical incident summary report.  

	On May 8th 2023 I attempted to call Operator2 but got a voicemail. I called and spoke with Operator1. She advised the Operator2 was still in the hospital and her injuries were head trauma, 8 broken ribs, and a ruptured spleen. Operator1 advised that after the adrenalin wore off she had back problems and went to the hospital.  I arrived at the Hospital but was not able to talk to Operator2 as she was in a procedure. I spoke with Investigator and he advised he would go the Hospital the following day to determine if there were serious bodily injury.

	On May 9th 2023 Investigator went to the hospital and was able to talk to Operator2.  Her injuries were more serious than originally thought and rise to the classification of serious bodily injury.
FT. George Inlet
JACKSONVILLE                  