A collision between a personal watercraft (PWC) and a pontoon Sunday afternoon at Black Hawk Lake sent two teenagers to the hospital.
The pontoon, operated by V1 Operator, was traveling an estimated 15 miles per hour (MPH), pulling three grandkids on a tube and was in the process of making a sweeping left turn when V1 Operator saw the PWC coming from his left. He corrected to the right to try to avoid the collision.
The PWC was heading east across the lake at approximately 40 MPH when the operator, V2 Operator saw the pontoon, and let off the throttle. A PWC is jet-driven meaning when it’s throttled down, the steering doesn’t work.
The PWC collided with the front port side pontoon and V2 Operator and V2 passenger were ejected, hitting the pontoon and metal skirting. They were helped aboard the pontoon by the tubers then taken to shore for medical assistance. The incident occurred around 3:17 p.m., in the center of the lake, on the north side.
V2 Operator and V2 passenger were transported by ambulance to Loring Hospital in Sac City. V2 Operator was then sent on to Omaha for surgery to repair a lower leg fracture.
Boat traffic was light for a Sunday likely due to cool air temperatures and wind and wave action, said State Conservation Officer 1.
The dredge was operating in the east bay and not involved in the incident.
The incident remains under investigation.
Blackhawk Lake
Lake View                     