On 05/31/23 I CPO was dispatched to Kinkaid Lake by IDNR Sgt. Sgt1 advised that he had been notified that an elderly male had entered the water and was presumably deceased below the surface of the lake. I met with CPO at the Kinkaid Marina at approximately 2200. CPO1 and I traveled by boat to the scene of the incident and spoke with Jackson County Deputy. Deputy1 stated that 2 subjects (one male, one female) had been ejected from their boat at approximately 1900 hours. 

The female (Injured1) was rescued by boaters who happened to be passing by but the male subject (Deceased1) had gone below the surface of the water and had not been seen again. There were also multiple fire/ rescue teams a long with divers on scene.  Utilizing sonar instruments we located multiple "targets" for divers to investigate. None of these were discovered to be the deceased male. At approximately 2350 hours rescue personnel and divers discontinued the search for the night. CPO1 and I discovered the boat involved in the incident approximately 600 yards ENE of the incident location. This boat was lodged on a weedbed and still idling (engine cutoff mechanism present but not utilized). 

The boat had a bimini top which was collapsed to the port side and other heavy items were also shifted to port. This boat was documented and secured prior to our departure.  On 06/01/23 Sgt1 and CPO's assisted at the scene of the incident with the utilization of sonar and security for dive personnel. I met with and interviewed the surviving female at Carbondale Memorial Hospital. 

Injured1 stated that she and her husband had departed the Kinkaid Lake Campground via boat at between 1730 and 1800 hours. Deceased1 was operating the boat and the two traveled to the area of the spillway, turned around, and came back to the vicinity of the main marina. They then once again operated to the area of the spillway and turned back around. Injured1 stated that much of their ride was at a high rate of speed, stating she saw the RPM instrument reading 4000 RPM for much of the time. She also advised that the speedometer was inoperable.  

Injured1 stated that just prior to the incident Operator was making a sharp, arcing left turn. She advised that the boat was "leaning" to the left during the turn. During this turn Operator lost control of the vessel and they were ejected into the water out the port (her) side. She stated that both she and Operator were conscious while in the water and they treaded water for approximately 5 minutes before a passing boat came to their aid. 

At approximately 1906 hours a pontoon boat with 3 occupants approached their position and attempted to provide PFD's to the distressed couple. As Injured secured a PFD for flotation, Operator disappeared below the surface of the water (substantiated by my subsequent interview with the witnesses). Injured was pulled onto the pontoon boat while Operator remained missing.  Injured was taken to Carbondale Memorial Hospital via ambulance and diagnosed with a fractured left femur. 

After my investigative interview with Injured1 I wrote out her statement at her request. I reread the statement to her prior to her signing it. After departing the hospital, Sgt1 notified me that Deceased1's deceased body had been located with sonar and recovered by divers (approximately 1457 hours). He was located in approximately 55 feet of water.  On 06/02/23 I interviewed the 3 witnesses. They provided a similar account and time frame of the event. They collectively stated that they observed 2 people "swimming" off the point in question, determined that they were in distress, and attempted to rescue both subjects. 

All witnesses advised that Operator went below the surface of the water while they were in the act of attempting to provide him with a PFD. A collective written statement was secured from the witnesses (provided in subsequent report).  It was discovered that the steering mechanism of the boat is compromised. It is unknown at this time whether it failed during operation (causing the accident), or was damaged during the violent action of the motor and steering assembly slamming the transom of the boat when inertia whipped to starboard and ejected the occupants.

Kinkaid Lake
Murphysboro                   