A 14-year-old boy was seriously injured on Sunday in a tubing accident that took place near Bainbridge on the Flint River.

Department of Natural Resources Ranger 1st Class Tony Cox said the accident occurred when a boat, pulling two boys on a tube, was heading north toward Bainbridge approximately one mile south of the big sandbar.

The driver of the boat, Mike Wallace, stated he moved out of the way from another boat heading the opposite direction. He said he moved over too far, and when he turned sharply back toward the middle of the channel, it caused the tube to be slung onto the bank of the river.

Five people riding jet skis on the river assisted the tubers, 14-year-old Davis Wallace and 16-year-old Jake Goodson, back into the boat.

The boaters then traveled to the Bainbridge Marina where they were assisted by Decatur County Sheriff’s deputies, Georgia State Patrol troopers and Emergency Medical Services personnel who responded to the accident.

Davis Wallace was severely injured during the accident, according to Cox. Goodson suffered only minor scrapes and bruises.

Davis Wallace was taken to Memorial Hospital in Bainbridge and then transferred to a hospital in Tallahassee, Fla., for further medical treatment.

The family has set up a web site for updates on Davis’ condition where well wishes can be given, www.caringbridge.org/visit/daviswallace.

Similar tubing accident

A similar tubing accident took place on the Fourth of July on the Chattahoochee River, five or six miles north of the U.S. 84 bridge.

According to Ranger Cox, a boat was pulling three young girls on a tube when the driver turned too sharply after moving out of the way of another boat—causing the girls to be thrown into a debris-filled area.

All three girls were taken to the hospital and reported in critical condition. Cox said he believed the girls have recovered from their injuries.

He said the accident is still under investigation, and the driver of the boat has been charged with boating under the influence.