On Saturday, June 24, 2023, at approximately 1553 hours, I Game Warden First Class (GWFC) responded to a boating incident on Lake Blue Ridge at Lake Wood boat ramp. Upon arrival, Fannin County Fire and EMS had already transported injured child to Fannin County Regional Hospital where she was checked out and transported to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. 

Sgt. and I interviewed the operator of the boat and operator of the personal watercraft (PWC). Operator2 said that he was operating the open motor boat (GA Registration), while pulling a tube occupied by three people. 

Operator1 said he was operating the PWC while following behind the boat and tube. Operator2 said he was pulling the tube with the kids on it, and he noticed another boat pulling a skier coming in front of him. Operator2 said he quickly brought the boat down in speed. 

At that time, Operator1 was operating the jet ski, and he was late noticing that Operator2 had stopped the boat, and he ended up running into the tube striking Tuber1. Tuber1 remained on the tube after being struck, and was unconscious for a second. 

Tuber1 was immediately taken back to the boat ramp to be transported by EMS. I conducted HGN on Operator1 due to him stating he had one beer several hours before the incident. No HGN clues were observed. On 6/25/2023, I GWFC, contacted Operator2 to check on the health status on Tuber1. 

Operator2 said she had suffered a minor skull fracture and a concussion, and she was released from the hospital.

Blue Ridge Lake
MORGANTON                     