PWC INJURY EAST CANYON RESERVOIR:

SYNOPSIS:
A call was received about reckless jet ski operations. Later a call came in that stated an individual was injured that fell off one of the jet skis. Rangers and medical responded and found an injured 15 year old male. Upon investigation a 17 year old male was operating and the 15 year old was a passenger. 15 year old male received medical care and was transported. 17 year old male was cited and released. 

NARRATIVE;
While on patrol at East Canyon Reservoir I, Ranger, received a phone call from a seasonal employee stating a complaint had come in about a set of jet skis being reckless near other boaters. The boaters stated the jet skis were coming within a few feet of the boats and trying to jump their wakes. I told the employee I would respond as soon as I was available. Before I could respond another call came from the seasonal employee stating that someone was reporting a person on the jet skis was extremely hurt and at the boat dock. I received this call at 11:41 on 08/27/2023. I advised dispatch we had a PWC injury at the boat dock at East Canyon and to send medical and that I would advise on patient information. 

Rangers 1, 2 and I responded and found a 15 year old male lying on a kayak at the top of the boat ramp. Ranger 3 gathered patient information and found the individual was complaining of severe neck and back pain. I advised dispatch of the patient information. Ranger 3 continued to assess and provide aid for the male while Ranger 2 and I investigated the incident. I identified the complainant of the reckless operation and he confirmed what my seasonal employee had told me about the speed and proximity violations. See his attached witness statement. I asked the group to identify the driver of the PWC and found the operator of the PWC. 

Operator stated to me that he was operating the PWC with the 15 year old male (identified) as the passenger behind him. Both male's were wearing USCG type III PFDs. He stated they were on the jet ski "going fast, having fun, [we] hit a wave, went too high, and we both fell off". I asked him if he had taken the PWC operator course and had his PWC operator license and he stated that he had started it but had not finished it and did not have the license. I described the speed and proximity complaint I had received and explained that law to him. 

I identified the owner of the PWC as owner who was with the group. I explained the need for anyone under 18 operating his vessel to have the operators license as well as obey speed and proximity. I performed a vessel inspection with him and found all necessary items and documents. No damage occurred to the vessel and no other vessels were involved beside's the speed and proximity violation. 

Medical arrived and continued to assess and administer aid to Injured. They was transported by ambulance to Primary Children's Hospital with permission from his parents who were also on scene. I identified Operator
s mother who had arrived at the scene and issued a citation to operator in her presence. I cited him for operating a PWC without an operator's license and warned for the speed and proximity violation. I explained both the citation and court information to him and his mother.

Based on my investigation it appears that contributing factors to this injury may be operator inexperience, reckless/careless operation, excessive speed, failing to obey speed and proximity, strong force of waves/wake, and operating without a PWC license. Based on my training and experience legal operation as far as age or operator licenses and a better knowledge of boating laws and rules may have prevented this accident/injury. 

END OF REPORT
East Canyon Reservoir
Morgan                        