Boating Accident Hurts New Paris Girl
Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a boat accident that injured 11-year-old Morgan Rodman of New Paris. The accident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m. this afternoon on Dewart Lake in Kosciusko County.
CO Joseph Tenbarge and officers from the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Department responded to the call regarding a juvenile being struck by a PWC.
According to Tenbarge, Rodman was being pulled on a tube behind a boat that was following the shoreline. A PWC driven by an undisclosed 10-year-old male was entering a bay at approximately 30 MPH. The PWC operator was not paying attention and was going too fast to stop by the time he finally saw the tube. The PWC struck the tube, knocking Rodman into the water.
Rodman was treated on scene for a bruised shoulder.
The grandmother who was in charge of the 10-year-old PWC operator was issued a citation for Permitting Unlawful Operation. Under Indiana law, anyone who is the owner of or has possession of a watercraft and allows a violation to occur can be cited for Permitting Unlawful Operation.
In Indiana, to operate a motorboat over 10 horse power requires either a valid Driver’s License or being 15 years old and having completed a Boater Education Course.
A list of available Boater Education Courses is available at the following Indiana DNR website, http://www.in.gov/dnr/