On August 4, 2023 at approximately 3:23PM I was notified by Clay County Dispatch of a boating accident that occurred on Dale Hollow Lake in the Mitchell Creek area of Clay County.  I, Wildlife Officer (WO), responded to Mitchell Creek Marina by land.  WO responded by water to Mitchell Creek Marina.  Once I arrived on scene all subjects involved in the incident were off the water and standing in the parking lot with a Clay County Deputy Sheriff.  

The injured subject identified was in the Overton County ambulance receiving treatment to a lacerated left arm.  The laceration was caused by a propeller cut from the Axis wake boat.  I obtained Victim''s personal information and contact information before his departure from the scene to a landing zone for air med evac.  I then obtained all contact information from the boat occupants/witnesses and obtained written statements.  I interviewed the boat operator and obtained a written statement from him.  

No signs of impairment were observed from the operator and no indicators of alcohol and/or drug use were observed during my field interview.  From written and oral statements given from the operator and occupants of the boat, it was determined the cause of the accident was boat occupant actions, carelessness, and standing on the transom of the boat while underway.  

Operator was operating the Axis boat towing a wake surfer behind him.  Based on witness statements the surfer went into the water and Operator made a maneuver to retrieve his downed surfer.  While making the right turn at a speed less than 10mph an occupant (Victim) left his original seat in the vessel and grabbed the ski rope and walked to the rear of the boat standing on the swim platform.  

While standing on the swim platform Victim attempted to throw the ski rope back to the surfer and lost his balance causing him to fall into the water.  While in the water Victim was struck by the propeller of the boat on his left arm below the elbow.  

The occupants and operator then brought Victim back into the boat and administered first aid and notified 911.  The vessel with the victim on board  returned to the dock at Mitchell Creek where EMS were on scene and administered care to the patient.  Victim was flown out by air med to Skyline Medical located in Nashville where he underwent emergency surgery.  Victim, as of August 5, 2023 at 10:18AM, was in stable condition and was recovering from surgery at Skyline Medical.  Boating Officer obtained this information from an interview at the hospital with Victim''s Mother.  Officer will return at a later time to obtain a written statement from Victim.    Officer obtained a statement from Victim indicating his seating position on the boat.  This along with the evidence gathered from the scene gave grounds to issue a citation to the operator for Reckless/Negligent Operation with injury.
DALE HOLLOW RESERVOIR
CELINA                        