Search Continues For Suspect In Hit-And-Run Incident At Kerr Lake

John Keese of Raleigh said he had just fallen off a personal watercraft and was climbing back on when he saw a boat coming at him.

"He had fallen off the jet ski and was getting himself back on, and he looked up and the bow of the boat was just coming at him. He jumped to the left and luckily they missed him straight on, but they caught his legs," said his wife, Lisa.

Keese managed to use the jet ski to get back to shore. He suffered two broken legs and one foot was partially severed from the boat's propeller.

"I rolled up under the water and as soon as I got my head above water, I knew I lost both my ankles. I didn't know how bad," Keese said. "Then, there was only one thing to do was to focus on getting back to shore, and thank goodness there were nice people on shore to help me out."

Some E.M.Ts and nurses who happened to be camping near Presbyterian Point treated Keese until help arrived.

Keese was transported to Maria Parham Hospital. He is expected to be released during the week and begin physical therapy.

Keese said the boat that ran over him never stopped. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission is looking for a charcoal boat with white lettering.

Officers have talked to about 75 people who were in the area Saturday. No one interviewed saw the incident or the boat in question.

Anyone with information is asked to call the state Wildlife Resources Commission at (800) 662-7137.