I, Texas Game Warden was contacted on Saturday September 30, 2023, by South Padre Island Police Department Dispatch about a personal water craft (PWC) that crashed into the Cassowary Bridge. SPI Dispatch advised that both the driver and passenger were escorted to Jim’s Pier by another vessel, and the passenger may have sustained series bodily injuries. 

On are about 2:15 pm, I made contact with SPI Police Officer at Jim’s Pier. Officer advised the passenger of the PWC was transported by EMS to Valley Baptist Medical Center in Harlingen, TX to seek further medical assistance. 

I then went to speak with Operator, Operator stated that he and Occupant launched the PWC from Boardwalk Condominium Yacht Club. Operator stated that he was following another PWC going south under the cassowary, when he hit a wave. Operator stated he tried to turn the PWC but couldn’t, causing him to strike the pillar under the bridge. 

Operator said the right side of the PWC scrapped the pillar, he and Occupant were both ejected from the PWC. Operator advised he thinks he and Occupant both hit the bridge. 

Operator stated they just started their day, and they were on the water for 10 to 15 minutes before the accident occurred. Operator denied medical treatment but was also having pain in his right arm. Operator stated he was going to a hospital after we finished talking to him. 

Good Sam stated that Operator was holding Occupant above water, and she appeared to be unconscious. Good Sam stated that he drove to their location to assist with holding Occupant above the water. Good Sam stated that a vessel passing by took Operator and Occupant on bored and drove them to Jim’s Pier for medical assistance. 

Good Sam stated he secured the PWC and returned it to Boardwalk Condominium Yacht Club. Good Sam agreed to give a written statement. I departed from Jim’s Pier so we could take possession of the PWC for pictures. We identified the PWC as a black, orange, and white PWC bearing registration number. We towed the PWC to a public boat ramp near Longboard Bar and Grill and loaded the PWC on to a trailer. The PWC was transported to Texas Parks and Wildlife Boat Barn in Bayview, TX for pictures and safe keeping. We attempted to locate the pillar that was struck, but were unsuccessful. On Sunday October 01, 2023, Texas Game Warden located the pillar that was struck and documented it via Coordinates and digital pictures.

 I then made contact with Occupant via Telephone. Occupant stated she did not receive any series injuries, just sore and had a cut on her right cheek. Occupant stated she was behind Operator, and she does not remember seeing a wave. Occupant stated she felt something push them towards the pillar, but she did not think they were going to hit it. Occupant stated that she remembers the PWC hitting the pillar, and the next thing she remembers is getting helped on to the vessel. Occupant stated she did not pay attention to her surrounding, because she was behind Operator on the PWC. On Friday October 13, 2003, I made contact via Telephone with Operator. Operator stated again that he was following behind Good Sam when he hit a wave. Operator stated that he slowed down when he hit the wave. Then he and Occupant struck the pillar and were ejected.

8230 LOWER LAGUNA MADRE
South Padre Island            