No Violations Found in Personal Watercraft Accident

An investigation into a June 30 personal watercraft accident in Ocean City is complete, and no summons has been issued, according to the State Police Marine Division in Atlantic City.

A child was flown by helicopter to the trauma center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia as a result of the accident.

Police said the boy was one of three passengers on a personal watercraft that was towing an inflatable tube when wind, currents and the tow rope caused the boy to fall into the water. The injuries were caused by the fall, and no other watercraft was involved, police said.

The operators had been safely using the inflatable — with a spotter on board the personal watercraft to watch the person being towed, police said. The personal watercraft was also equipped with a flag to indicate the presence of the towed inflatabe.

Police said privacy laws prevent them from releasing the name, age and medical condition of the boy involved in the accident. Unconfirmed reports suggest the injuries were not as serious as initially feared.

The Ocean City Fire Department responded to a 5:11 p.m. call on Satuday, June 30, reporting an injured person in the water on the bay side of Ocean City near the Ninth Street Bridge.

Firefighters responded with its water rescue unit, two engines and an ambulance. Another call directed them to a home on West Eighth Street, where the boy had been transported.

The boy had suffered trauma to the legs, hip and abdomen areas, and he had possibly suffered internal injuries, acting Capt. Ray Clark said at the time. The boy was conscious and talking.

The patient and his mother were transported to the Ocean City Municipal Airport where they met a SouthStar med-evac unit that flew them to Philadelphia.