Skater 30 Prototype accident
#23
Thanks for all of the prayers and support from everyone, it is much appreciated. San Joaquin County Sheriffs Water Patrol Division located and recovered Nancy's body yesterday, just before nightfall. Her family will now have closure thanks to the diligent search efforts that lasted all day. We are all absolutely heartbroken over the loss of the young life of Nancy, who's life was spent saving lives as an RN.
I spoke to Stephan this afternoon, and yesterday's surgery to install a titanium rod in his broken femur went very well. He still has a chest tube in the lung that was punctured and collapsed, but he is not intubated and is breathing on his own. He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow to install titanium plates in his ribcage area that was impacted so that they will heal properly. His injuries were definitely life threatening, and required rescue breathing from my girlfriend (a 30 year career RN) before life-flight arrived. From the time of accident to the time of rescue by life-flight took approximately 1 hour, and the ER doctor advised him he was near death upon arrival as his condition was continuing to decline due to extremely low blood pressure. He is absolutely lucky to be alive, and will face lots of physical therapy on his road to a full recovery.
To the best of my knowledge, the cause of the accident is one that is all too familiar to all of us - a large cruiser throwing a huge wake, with additional smaller wakes intersecting the cruiser wake. I passed the same 45' - 50' cruiser just a few minutes before he did, and it's wake was a big one. Alcohol was NOT a factor in this accident, however, not wearing life jackets at the time of the accident definitely did have a major factor in the outcome.
I hope everyone that reads about this tragic accident will be reminded of the great importance of wearing life jackets at all times while running their performance boats. It has changed my choice of life jackets, as I will be ordering Lifeline Sport Vests for myself, and all passengers, instead of the Mustang Survival auto-inflate jackets I've been wearing for the past 20 years. It also reinforced in me to wear them at all times, not just when I "think" we should be wearing them.
I greatly appreciate everyone's well-wishes and keeping this thread on track, and I've told Stephan how supportive our great performance boat community has been for him through this worst time of his life.
Thank you all................
I spoke to Stephan this afternoon, and yesterday's surgery to install a titanium rod in his broken femur went very well. He still has a chest tube in the lung that was punctured and collapsed, but he is not intubated and is breathing on his own. He is scheduled for surgery tomorrow to install titanium plates in his ribcage area that was impacted so that they will heal properly. His injuries were definitely life threatening, and required rescue breathing from my girlfriend (a 30 year career RN) before life-flight arrived. From the time of accident to the time of rescue by life-flight took approximately 1 hour, and the ER doctor advised him he was near death upon arrival as his condition was continuing to decline due to extremely low blood pressure. He is absolutely lucky to be alive, and will face lots of physical therapy on his road to a full recovery.
To the best of my knowledge, the cause of the accident is one that is all too familiar to all of us - a large cruiser throwing a huge wake, with additional smaller wakes intersecting the cruiser wake. I passed the same 45' - 50' cruiser just a few minutes before he did, and it's wake was a big one. Alcohol was NOT a factor in this accident, however, not wearing life jackets at the time of the accident definitely did have a major factor in the outcome.
I hope everyone that reads about this tragic accident will be reminded of the great importance of wearing life jackets at all times while running their performance boats. It has changed my choice of life jackets, as I will be ordering Lifeline Sport Vests for myself, and all passengers, instead of the Mustang Survival auto-inflate jackets I've been wearing for the past 20 years. It also reinforced in me to wear them at all times, not just when I "think" we should be wearing them.
I greatly appreciate everyone's well-wishes and keeping this thread on track, and I've told Stephan how supportive our great performance boat community has been for him through this worst time of his life.
Thank you all................
Last edited by Skater30; 08-02-2021 at 12:19 AM.
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#24
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thank you for posting an accurate account of the incident and the obvious safety reminders we too often, take for granted.
Big shout out to the responders, especially you and your girlfriend. There’s more than a couple of silent hero’s in this story.
Most importantly, wishes to Stephan on a full recovery, sounds like he’s in good hands.
You only know me as Rak Rua on a keyboard but boaters all around the world share your pain when boating tragedies strike. Look after yourself and your wonderful girlfriend.
RIP Nancy.
Jon.
Big shout out to the responders, especially you and your girlfriend. There’s more than a couple of silent hero’s in this story.
Most importantly, wishes to Stephan on a full recovery, sounds like he’s in good hands.
You only know me as Rak Rua on a keyboard but boaters all around the world share your pain when boating tragedies strike. Look after yourself and your wonderful girlfriend.
RIP Nancy.
Jon.
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#25
Registered
There have been many reminders this year about wearing life jackets. I have to admit that I don't way more than I should. A guy I worked with lost his wife in a similar accident very sobering. I've had my share of boating incidents and I being a lot more careful now. I will be making some new rules on the boat from now on. My prayers are with Stephan and the family.
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302Sport (08-02-2021)
#27
Registered
So sorry to learn of the tragedy Dale..
I saw the boat early Saturday morning and stopped to see if I could help..I felt horrible after learning there was someone missing.
We weren't sure when/what happened and wished we could have done something to help after seeing the condition of the windshield etc...
Thoughts and prayers for all involved and a quick recovery for Stephan.. RIP Nancy..
Lane
I saw the boat early Saturday morning and stopped to see if I could help..I felt horrible after learning there was someone missing.
We weren't sure when/what happened and wished we could have done something to help after seeing the condition of the windshield etc...
Thoughts and prayers for all involved and a quick recovery for Stephan.. RIP Nancy..
Lane
#29
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Very sorry to hear that she didn't make it. And thankful for him that he did.
Lessons can be hard. We have all been caught by an unforeseen wave, or turn, or errant captain in our boating days..
Yvonne and I have a strict rule about vests for anyone onboard. If you've seen us on plane, you've seen Lifeline vests. We get called out for almost always boating alone. Even heard people say we don't have any friends. I'd rather have it that way than make a mistake that costs myself or a loved one pain or loss.
Prayers for the lost and the recovering. Prayers to all of you that we don't hear about anything like this again anytime soon.
Lessons can be hard. We have all been caught by an unforeseen wave, or turn, or errant captain in our boating days..
Yvonne and I have a strict rule about vests for anyone onboard. If you've seen us on plane, you've seen Lifeline vests. We get called out for almost always boating alone. Even heard people say we don't have any friends. I'd rather have it that way than make a mistake that costs myself or a loved one pain or loss.
Prayers for the lost and the recovering. Prayers to all of you that we don't hear about anything like this again anytime soon.
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