Gurnee man in watercraft accident

Authorities say alcohol was a contributing factor when a Gurnee man suffered serious injuries while riding a personal watercraft over the long holiday weekend on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.

Nathan C. Hartman, 22, was on his Polaris jumping wakes over the popular Missouri waterway when the incident happened about 10:30 a.m. Friday. Missouri State Water Patrol Sgt. Gerard Callahan said Hartman likely was saved because he was wearing a life jacket, as required by Missouri law.

"That law saved quite a few lives (last) weekend," Callahan said Monday.

Hartman was in serious condition Monday at University Hospital in Columbia, Mo., said spokesman Jeff Hoelscher. Hartman was flown to Columbia from Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Mo.

After striking the dashboard, Hartman fell overboard and was floating face down in the water when a friend on a nearby boat jumped in to assist him, according to police reports.

Callahan said the friend turned Hartman onto his back and kept him afloat until authorities arrived. He said Hartman suffered serious facial injuries.

Alcohol was listed as a contributing factor in the incident, Callahan said, but additional details weren't immediately available. Hartman has not been charged, Callahan said.

Three other injuries on Lake of the Ozarks were the result of personal watercraft wake-jumping over the weekend, Callahan said, but the number wasn't considered high. He said the activity is allowed, provided the personal watercraft is 100 feet from another vessel.