V1 was in the Suwannee River south of Branford. Operator1 was the lone occupant of V1 and was towing a ski tube with 2 juvenile females on board the tube. V1 had been traveling downstream and made a 180 degree turn to port and began traveling upstream. During the turn Operator1 accelerated causing a whip like effect on the tube causing it to be slung starboard toward the shore. 

The tube/occupants struck a tree on the shore and the 2 occupants were then thrown from the tube into the water. Operator1 exited V1 to render aid to the juvenile victims and V1 drifted downstream away from them. A short time later, good Samaritan vessels stopped, rendered aid and transported Operator1 and the two female victims to a nearby dock. 

CPR was performed on one of the female victims until Suwannee EMS arrived on scene. She was airlifted to UF Health Hospital in Gainesville while the other female victim was transported via ambulance. V1 and the tube were recovered by a good Samaritan vessel and brought to the dock where Operator1 was located.

For detailed narrative, photos, citations and documents see Incident summary report # ISR084040.; 

Victim1 sustained severe head trauma and facial lacerations due to impact with a tree. She was unconscious after impact and CPR was performed by good Samaritans until EMS arrived. She was transported via Life Flight helicopter to UF Health Hospital in Gainesville. 

Victim2 sustained a broken right pelvis and a strained neck from impact with a tree. She was transported to UF Health Hospital in Gainesville by ambulance.

Suwannee River
BRANFORD                      