On July 7th 2023 Operator was operating a 2019 Sea Doo GTX in the area of White Oak Creek on Lake Cumberland in Wayne County.  While maneuvering the personal watercraft making circles Operator failed to notice her surroundings and impacted a rock outcropping on the shoreline.  As the personal watercraft struck the shoreline, Operator was thrown over the steering column onto the shoreline.  A juvenile in the party with the victim was in the vicinity and noticed the incident.  He notified other members of the party who were located in a nearby vessel.  Operator was loaded onto the personal vessel and taken to Conley Bottom Resort for transport.  Operator was transported from Conley Bottom to Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital by Wayne County EMS.  Her injuries were reported to be lower back pain.  

I arrived at Conley Bottom just prior to the victim arriving via personal boat.  I spoke with the victim as well as the operator of the personal vessel who also owned the personal watercraft involved.  His understanding of the incident was that Operator was "doing donuts" on the personal watercraft just prior to making contact with the shoreline.  He advised they had went to the area after his juvenile son reported the incident to them, however no one actually witnessed the grounding.  

As Operator was loaded into the ambulance she was only able to remember operating the watercraft and then being ejected over the steering column and finding herself on the shoreline.  She suffered a T12 fracture.  Operator has no formal boater education training and limited time operating personal watercraft.  No impairment was observed.    

Damage 
Vessel 1 was recovered by Marine Assist, a salvage/tow service serving Lake Cumberland.  The vessel hull had been completely busted through on the bottom with flotation being visible.  The vessel had completely been filled with water and was tied to a tree on the shoreline just after the incident.  The vessel was unable to be righted and was towed to the nearest ramp and loaded onto a utility trailer by Marine Assist.  The vessel appears to be totaled.  Estimated value is $16,000.00.  Additional damage included torn seats and multiple scratches and cracks on most surface areas.



Summation of Findings
The operator of vessel 1 had little to no experience operating a personal watercraft, especially one rated at 300 horsepower.  The operator was performing maneuvers that are considered "Reckless" just prior to the incident.  The operator of Vessel 1 did not perform the duties as "Look-out" as required when a sole occupant is the operator of a vessel which would have prevented making contact with the shoreline. 

No witnesses were located that observed the incident.  Findings are based upon statements from the victim as well as bystanders who brought her into the marina for assistance
-SGT.1
LAKE CUMBERLAND
MONTICELLO                    