On May 27, 2023, at approximately 1000 hours, 1 passenger female (VICTIM/DECEASED) was struck by a propeller motor on Choke Canyon Reservoir in McMullen County, TX. Vessel 1 was being operated by OWNER/HUSBAND OF DECEASED at the time of the incident. 

OPERATOR advised they were attempting to tie off to a tree/limb on the port side of the boat out in the water to begin fishing for catfish when the accident occurred. OPERATOR stated when he made the approach to the tree/limb to tie off, he missed grabbing the tree/limb himself in the driver seat due to the wind and waves pushing his vessel in the opposite direction. 

OPERATOR said that VICTIM was on the back deck of the boat (STERN) attempting to grab the tree/limb that OPERATOR had missed himself. VICTIM was able to successfully grab the tree/limb. However, the wind and waves continued to push vessel 1 away from said tree/limb. 

OPERATOR stated he put the boat in reverse while the wind and waves continued to push his vessel away from the tree/limb. VICTIM continued to hold on to the tree/limb while the boat continued to be pushed away and was eventually stretched out across the stern on the boat to the point where she finally could not hold on and fell into the water directly on top of/next to the outboard motor and propeller. 

OPERATOR did not see VICTIM fall in the water but said he heard the splash in the water and looked back to see VICTIM near the motor/propeller. OPERATOR put the boat in neutral and ran to the back of the boat to begin the process of pulling VICTIM out of the water. OPERATOR was successful in pulling VICTIM onto the vessel and noticed she had been badly lacerated in multiple areas of her face, neck, and body so he called 9-1-1 to report the emergency. OPERATOR attempted to provide first aid but realized the injuries were more severe than what he could handle. OPERATOR decided to return back to the boat ramp at Choke Canyon State Park-Calliham Unit as fast as he could in a safe manner. 

Once back at the boat ramp myself and other first responding personnel attempted to control the bleeding and reduce the trauma until EMS (emergency medical services) arrived on scene. VICTIM was placed on a back board and then loaded into the ambulance from the vessel, and then transported to a designated landing area within the State Park where we waited for the Life Flight Helicopter to land. Once on the ground, Life Flight medics provided medical care for VICTIM in the back of the ambulance and eventually loaded her onto the helicopter and transported her to SPOHN Hospital in Corpus Christi, TX.

Operator agreed to give a breath sample through a PBT (PORTABLE BREATH TEST) device where it was shown he had no traces of alcohol in his system (o.oo bac). Operator showed no signs on intoxication in conversation, however the PBT was used to rule out the possibility of alcohol being a factor causing the accident. OPERATOR also gave a written statement of the accident while waiting for a family member to come and take him to the hospital in Corpus Christi, TX.

Vessel 1 was initially seized for evidentiary purposes and inventoried at the maintenance yard at Choke Canyon State Park. Vessel 1 was then transported to a more secure location at the Law Enforcement training facility at the Daughtry WMA. Vessel 1 was released the next day to a family member (Brother) at the direction from TPWD STORM team personnel advising there was no need to continue keeping the vessel due to no criminal charges being filed and no civil litigations being presented.

VICTIM was eventually pronounced deceased at the hospital in Corpus Christi, TX after multiple hours in the OR room and suffering a stroke as a result from the trauma. 

Nothing further at this time.

0164 CHOKE CANYON
TILDEN                        