DNR, Bartow County EMS activity at Gatewood Saturday Evening

[Bob Smith (Porko)]

During the Porko Sign up and launch on Saturday Evening (7-13-2013) we had a 4 or 5 DNR trucks, a DNR boat and the County EMS team at the ramp to pick up a young fellow who was unconscious and treat another that was injured. I just spoke to the park manager and the following account is the only one we have right now.
There were three young men (late teens or early 20s) being towed on a float behind the pontoon boat. They hit a boat wave and apparently got jostled pretty badly. It would appear that the injuries occurred when the guys collided with each other. One guy had a gash above his eye. The one that was unconscious had injuries to his mouth and head. I don't know if there was alcohol involved or not. I saw one of the Rangers writing on what appeared to be a ticket pad, but he may have just been writing his report by interviewing the other persons on the boat. I don't want to speculate and I also hope that the kid that was unconscious was not seriously injured. If I hear more I will share it with you guys.

[dwayne]

Thanks for the info. That's why I won't pull my kid on a float!

[ProMo]

Frank the Tank and i were on Oconee Saturday and heading back to Sugar creek, noticed a Pontoon towing a big Tube with two little girls, one ended up in the water and there were boats flying all over the place. I am experienced enough to know to look for a person in the water when the pleasure boaters are out in force like that pulling kids all over the place. That little girl looked so small floating there, i slowed down to see if the Pontoon had noticed she had fell out and Thank goodness they knew because there were boats everywhere.

[Bob Smith (Porko)]

Robbie was telling me last night at the meeting that suspicion now is that they may have hit something in the water. There is also a dent on one of the pontoons like they also hit something that might have been floating.