ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 AT APPROXIMATELY 18:50  WILDLIFE OFFICERS WERE NOTIFIED BY RALEIGH DISPATCH OF A BOAT INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED IN THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY APPROXIMATELY 1 MILES SOUTH OF SLOOP POINT MARINA IN HAMPSTEAD, NC.  

SERGEANT 1 MET THE VESSEL OPERATOR AT NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER AND CONDUCTED AN INTERVIEW WITH THE OPERATOR AND THE PASSENGERS OF THE VESSEL.  OPERATOR STATED THAT THE VESSEL OWNER, PASSENGER 1, WAS DRINKING ALCOHOL EARLIER IN THE DAY AND THEY DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE BETTER AND SAFER FOR A SOBER OPERATOR TO DRIVE THE VESSEL BACK TO THE DOCK.  WHILE OPERATOR WAS HEADING NORTH ON THE ICW AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH.   PASSENGER 1 WAS A PASSENGER RIDING BEHIND THE OPERATOR.  OPERATOR SAW PASSENGER 1 START WALKING TOWARDS THE FRONT OF THE BOAT SO HE STARTED TO SLOW THE BOAT DOWN.  AS THE BOAT WAS SLOWING DOWN, PASSENGER 1 LOST HIS BALANCE AND JUMPED OFF THE FRONT OF THE VESSEL.  OPERATOR IMMEDIATELY PUT THE VESSEL IN NEUTRAL, BUT THE MOMENTUM OF THE VESSEL CONTINUED.  THE VESSEL DROVE OVER TOP OF PASSENGER 1 AND THE PROPELLER MADE CONTACT WITH PASSENGER 1'S BACK. 
PASSENGER 1 WAS TAKEN TO NEW HANOVER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER BY PENDER COUNTY AMBULANCE.  PASSENGER 1 HAD SURGERY FOR HIS INJURIES.
OPERATOR SAID THAT THERE IS NO DAMAGE TO THE VESSEL.



SEE ATTACHED INJURY SUPPLEMENT.

NO CHARGES FILED.
ICW
HAMPSTEAD                     