County Sgt. received anonymous information that a watercraft incident had occurred the previous evening (6/27/2023) and had not been reported to law enforcement. The officer was able to contact the Operator involved in the incident and get a statement. He was also able to speak to a witness to the incident.

The Operator stated that he was out riding his personal watercraft alone the previous evening. He was jumping wakes and hit one wake "way too hard" and sent the PWC vertical into the air. When he came down, the PWC hit nose first and he thought he went over the handlebars, smashing his face into the handlebars and hood of the PWC. He lost consciousness and came-to floating in the water, being helped by another boater/witness. He was helped to get back on the PWC and was towed to shore. He was bleeding and had a huge headache, and the other boater/witness drove him to the hospital. The other boater/witness also secured the PWC.

The Other Boater/Witness stated that she was out on her boat and had noticed a PWC jumping wake off her boat, as well as other boats. It didn't look reckless, it looked like he knew what he was doing. He hit a wake off her boat and the PWC went vertical, nose-dived, and then hit the water hard. She saw the operator floating in the water. She went over and helped him on to the PWC. He looked dazed and confused and she thought he might have a concussion. She towed the PWC to her slip and took him to the hospital.

A life jacket was being worn and alcohol was not a factor. There was some damage to the PWC.
Zumbro
Mazeppa                       