Operator #1 Stated to the effect: Operator #1 provided no statement due to the nature of his injuries sustained from being ejected from the PWC.

Investigation Revealed: Vessel #1 was traveling eastbound through the Cape May Canal in the vicinity of the Cape May Ferry Terminal in Lower Township, Cape May County, NJ. It should be noted Vessel #1 was traveling on plane through an area restricted to personal watercrafts. It should also be noted that the conditions on the bay were rough due to high winds. 

Operator #1 navigated through the canal near navigational marker #12 and went outside of the marked channel. Vessel #1 subsequently struck a submerged sand bar, and Operator #1 was ejected from the vessel. Operator #1 was rendered unconscious as a result of the impact with the sand bar. Operator #1 was turned upright in the water by a PWC operator from his group, before he was extracted from the water by a Coast Guard vessel out of Cape May station. New Jersey State Police personnel were alerted of the incident by NJSP Marine Bureau Telecommunications (10 Comm.) The vessel was secured at the Cape May Ferry Terminal, and Operator #1 's family was made aware of the location of the PWC.

Operator #1 regained consciousness on scene before being transported to Atlantic Regional Medical Center by Inspira EMS. Operator #1 sustained a fractured vertebra and a spinal cord injury as a result of the ejection from the PWC and subsequent impact with the sand bar. NJSP Crime Scene was notified on scene and the PWC was able to be released to the family.


CAPE MAY CANAL
LOWER TWP                     