Valley Springs, CA…On August 8th 2020 at about 4:00PM Marine Safety Deputies responded to Lake Hogan for a report of a boating accident with major injuries. According to witnesses, occupants of the involved boat were engaging in wakeboarding at the time of the accident. When the rider on the wakeboard fell, the boat operator turned to retrieve that person.

Unbeknownst to the boat operator, a second occupant of the same boat jumped into the water from the bow and was struck as the boat began to accelerate. The impact caused the victim to go under the boat where a strike from the propeller occurred resulting in major injuries to the shoulder and lower leg of the victim.

The boat operator immediately stopped and with the assistance of persons on board removed the victim from the water. Two juveniles (15 year old female and 17 year old male) immediately initiated lifesaving efforts. The victim was transported to the Fiddleneck Boat Ramp and eventually transported to a valley hospital for emergency treatment. The two juveniles are being directly credited with saving the life of the victim.

Later in the evening at about 7:00PM, while still investigating the aforementioned accident, Marine Safety Deputies were dispatched to a second boating accident on Lake Hogan. Deputies learned that the accident occurred near the inlet of the lake commonly referred to as the “Cliffs”. While drifting with the engine idling swimmers from the vessel entered the water where one of the swimmers was struck by the propeller. The propeller strike caused minor injury to the upper leg of the swimmer who was then rushed to a valley hospital for treatment. Michael Brodeal (34 years old Stockton, CA) was arrested at the scene for boating under the influence of alcohol. The exact cause of the accident is still under investigation.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds all boaters that a comprehensive first aid should be carried on all vessels. Unlike auto accidents, emergency personnel may not be able to immediately respond to your location on the water.