At approximately 4:50 pm Operator1 and Operator2 were both operating their own vessels on the Santa Fe River and traveling south (downriver). In the area of Ellie Ray’s RV Resort/Boat Ramp there are “No Wake Zone” signs posted on both the upriver and downriver sides.  

Vessel 1 (Operator1) was leading and Vessel 2 (Operator2) was following approximately 150 feet behind.  Both vessels followed the right (starboard) curve of the river and began turning in a southwest direction.  Operator1 brought his vessel (V1) off full plane and to an idle as he approached the signage marking the beginning of the “No Wake Zone”.  

Operator2 did not bring his vessel (V2) off plane in time to avoid striking Operator1’s vessel on the starboard stern (right side rear) with the bow of his vessel.  Prior to collision, Operator2 put his vessel in reverse in an attempt to stop in time, but when he struck Operator1’s vessel, the collision forced Operator2’s body back in a forward motion and made him push his throttle shifter into the forward gear again.  

Operator2’s vessel then veered to the right side of the river and struck a cypress tree head on and then struck two cypress knees with the starboard side of the vessel’s bow.  Upon striking the cypress tree, cypress knees and shoreline, subjects were both ejected from the vessel into shallow water.  As they were ejected, they came into contact with multiple objects before coming to a final rest.  The vessel windshield was broken as it appears that Operator2 broke it as he was being ejected.  

	Subject1 jumped off Operator1’s vessel (V1) and onto Operator2’s vessel (V2) after Operator2 and V2 occupant1 were ejected.  Subject1 took the vessel out of gear and then began helping Operator2 and V2 occupant1 while they were still in the water.  

At this time, several good Samaritans from the Ellie Ray’s Boat Ramp boarded a vessel and came across the river to assist in getting Operator2 and V2 occupant1 out of the water and back to the boat ramp.  Although it was said that there were several other individuals that assisted the injured, but then left before Law Enforcement arrived.  Operator2 and V2 occupant1 were lifted onto their own vessel and then driven over to the Ellie Rays boat ramp by Subject1. 

V2 OCCUPANT1:Sustained four fractured ribs. OPERATOR2:Sustained minor injuries to face.
Santa Fe River
BELL                          