Summary:
I, CPO, on 07/16/2023, was dispatched to a boating incident on the Rock River. Upon arrival Ogle County Sherriff''s Office was on scene and notified me that there were two occupants at the dispatched location, and the rest of the occupants, operator, and vessel were located at the Lowden State Park Boat Ramp. 

I was notified that the injured individual was taken to a local hospital where CPO was enroute to meet with him. After getting written statements from the two occupants at the original scene location, I relocated to the Lowden State Park Boat Ramp to meet with the remaining occupants, operator, and vessel. An Ogle County Sherriff''s Officer was interviewing and holding them there until I arrived. Upon arrival, the vessel was already trailered and, in the parking-lot. I interviewed and took written statements from the remaining occupants and operator of the vessel. The operator showed no signs of being under the influence of any drugs or of being intoxicated. A boat safety inspection was completed. There were not any violations found with the vessel, however the operator did not have the proper boating education certificate needed to be able to operate the boat and was issued a citation. The individuals were released, and no further action or investigation was taken.


Individuals Involved: Operator; Location; Starboard Side Helm (Not wearing PFD)
Occupant (Uninjured); Location; Port-side passenger (Not wearing PFD)
Occupant (Uninjured); Location; Starboard stern (Not wearing PFD)
Occupant (Uninjured); Location; Cabin/Deck (Not wearing PFD)
Occupant (Uninjured); Location; Cabin/Deck (Wearing PFD)
Recreational Tuber; Location; Tube being pulled behind vessel (Wearing PFD)
Occupant (Injured); Location: Port-Stern (Not wearing PFD)
Vessel 1: 1978, 180HP, 20ft, Cruiser/Mercruiser

The Accident:
At approximately 4:30PM on 07/16/2023, vessel 1 was headed up stream on the Rock River.  The occupants were recreationally tubing. Subject fell off the tube. Operator ll operated vessel 1 to go pick up Subject1 and allow him to get back on the tube. 

At the same time occupant subject2 was located at the port-stern of vessel 1 holding the slack in the towrope for the tube so it did not get caught in the propeller in his right hand. As Subject1 got himself back on the tube, operator thought that they were good to continue tubing, not realizing the rope still in Subject2s right hand. 

When Operator started to engage the throttle on vessel 1, the towrope tightened around Subject2s righthand/fingers, pulling him into the water. At this time the remaining occupants screamed and Operator stopped the boat. 

Subject2 immediately got back in vessel 1; however, his index finger was fully amputated, partial amputation to his middle and ring finger, and tip injury to his pinky finger. A towel was placed around Subject2s hand and pressure was placed to try to control the bleeding. Subject1 was brought into vessel 1 with the tube and Operator operated vessel 1 to the nearest dock. The property owners assisted until EMT services arrived. Operator operated vessel 1 back to the boat launch in Lowden State Park, trailered, and parked vessel 1 in the parking lot. Ogle County Sheriff''s Office arrived on scene and began interviewing prior to my arrival at both locations. Subject2 was transferred to Swedish American Hospital in Rockford and then to UW Health University Hospital in Madison W...

Rock River
Oregon                        