Two teens injured in separate watercraft accidents on Highland Lakes
MARBLE FALLS — Two unrelated watercraft accidents on the Highland Lakes this past weekend sent two 14-year-old boys to an Austin hospital for treatment.
The latest accident occurred about 1 p.m. July 22 on Lake LBJ near Cottonwood Shores, officials said.
“The 14-year old was a passenger of a personal watercraft when it collided with another personal watercraft,” said Clara Tuma, a spokeswoman for the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The teen suffered “head trauma and possible other injuries,” she added.
He was flown by helicopter to Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas in Austin, where he remained July 23.
LCRA Rangers are still investigating the accident.
Each vehicle had a driver and a passenger, and all wore personal flotation devices, officials said.
“All four are believed to be family members,” Tuma said.
The injured teen rode with a 21-year old driver. The driver of the other craft was 17 with a 10-year-old passenger.
According to the initial investigation, the craft with the 14-year-old made a turn and was involved in a collision with the other craft, which was following it, Tuma said.
The 14-year-old ended up in the water.
“The drivers of both craft immediately stopped and tended to the 14-year old until medical help arrived,” Tuma said.
The second incident took place July 21 on Inks Lake on the Llano County side, investigators said.
According to a Texas Parks and Wildlife release, a 14-year old boy was on a personal watercraft when it collided with a vehicle piloted by a 16-year-old boy with a female passenger, 16.
He also was flown by a medical transport to Dell. Game wardens did not specify his injuries.
The two teen drivers did not know each other, officials said.
While all three wore personal flotation devices, the two teen drivers had not taken a mandatory boater education course, according to TPWD officials.
Under Texas law, anyone born after Sept. 1, 1993, who operates a watercraft with a motor of more than 15 horsepower or a sailing vessel of 14 feet or longer must have completed the course or have an adult accompanying them.
Officials have not released any names in either mishap.