On 08/27/2023, at approximately 1620 hours, I, Ofc. with Maryland Natural Resources Police, was directed by DNR Communication to go to Garrett Regional Medical Center (Hospital), for an injured subject that had been boating on Deep Creek Lake, Swanton, Maryland.

I arrived at the hospital and met the victim, 78-year-old. Victim explained that she was sitting in the passenger seat with her back to the water when a wave came and hit the boat, causing her to bounce up off the seat, then back down. She was experiencing pain in her lower back and hips. The boat owner and operator was in the waiting room.

I interviewed Operator. She explained that she was operating her boat, bearing Maryland registration at a slow cruising speed on the south end of Deep Creek Lake near Holy Cross and Blakeslee cove, when a three-foot wave from a wake boat came towards the left side of her boat and struck them. 

Operator's vessel is a 1987 Supra with a low hull. She explained that she tried to maneuver the boat to not be effected by the wave, but it still hit the left side and jarred the boat and Victim. The passenger seat of that boat is turned around facing backwards. Two other passengers were in the boat at the time of the incident. 

Subject1 explained that she was sitting in the back of the boat behind the operator, Operator, so she was not able to see the wave. Subject2 was also sitting in the back, but on the left side of the boat behind Victim. She saw the wave in just enough time to reach across and grab onto subject1’s arm to warn her and brace for impact. No other passengers were injured. No one was wearing life jackets at the time. 

Pictures were taken of the boat and are attached to this report. 

All events occurred in Garrett County, Maryland.

Deep Creek Lake, Swanton
Swanton                       