According to witnesses and v1's passenger, they were traveling north through the channel of bull shoals along with another vessel similar to v1. Both vessels were in close proximity to each other, throwing "rooster tails" at each other. 

V1 passenger further stated they began to speed up to get ahead of the other vessel and when they did v1 fish tailed to the left, hit a wave and caused v1 to flip over.  

The other vessel came over to assist getting them out of the water and to help keep v1 from sinking.  The victim and other operator were able to get v1 to the shoreline and tie it to a tree.  

After anchoring v1 to the shore, the victim began having some type of medical issue and the passenger advised his complexion turned very red and he was having trouble breathing. The other vessel took them to the boat ramp and began doing cpr on the victim until ems arrived. Victim was pronounced dead at the scene.  Blood samples were requested and taken by the deputy coroner. V1 was able to be recovered and all damage was documented once back at the boat ramp.

Toxicology results pending.  

Update: on 1-9-24 the coroner finally contacted the officer and advised the blood sample taken at the scene could not be located and had not been turned in for testing. He took full responsibility for the error and further advised that the deputy coroner who did this has since been fired.  

The coroner drafted a letter explaining all of this and forwarded it to the officer along with the cause of death report on 1-18-24. So we are unable to determine if the victim/operator had any alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of the accident; however, due to interviews with the family and passenger alcohol is not suspected.

CAUSE OF DEATH WAS RULED EXACERBATION, PROBABLE ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFRACTION AND CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE.

BULL SHOALS LAKE
LEAD HILL                     