On 07/04/2023 at 1817 hours Houston Police Department Marine Unit Officer and Sgt, were dispatched to and arrived at the same time to a boat accident, located in the blue zone of Lake Houston. Lake Houston is in the City of Houston, Harris County, Texas. This was a one vessel accident involving a three seat PCW (jet Ski) with the operator and two passengers aboard. The operator was identified and her passengers. Occupant 1 was sitting in the middle seat and 2 was sitting on the rear of the seat. While operating the vessel, O1 inadvertently capsized the PWC sending all 3 passengers into the water. The kill switch was activated and immediately shut off the vessels motor. After flipping the PWC back over to the upright position the three riders were able to reboard. When O1 reattached her lanyard to the kill switch in order to restart the PWC, there was an immediate exolosion from within the vessel that threw all thee of them back into the water. Nearbv boaters who itnessed the incident onto their boats and took them to the nearby Lake Houston Marina and called 911. The scene was located in the "Blue Zone" of Lake Houston. 

This zone begins at the McKay Bridge (FM1960 Bridge) and encompasses the area north of the McKay Bridge to the entrances of the East and West forks of the San Jacinto river. The water was fairly calm at the time with no white caps visible. The water temperature at the time was 91 degrees Fahrenheit. The weather was 96 degrees and partly cloudy. The vessel was a Yamaha Nano-X-Cel bearing hull number US with a registration number. The vessel was rated for three occupants and white in color. Officers observed the vessel to have large cracks in the fiberglass in multiple locations clearly caused by the explosion. Officer gathered statements and information from complaints and witnesses. Officers 1 and 2 towed the vessel to the Lake Houston Marina and transferred custody to the owner of the vessel, owner. HFD checked on the medical status of all involved and they did not require or request additional medical attention. Officers determined that the vessel capsized, likely causing gas fumes to build in the engine compartment. Officers believe that an electric spark ignited the fumes when the complainant attempted to place the automatic engine shut off switch back to restart the vessel. No citations were issued, nor arrests made, at the time of the crash.
0368 HOUSTON
HOUSTON                       