Sailboat, Yacht Collide off Beach

Heroic work by two sailing beach workers is being credited with saving the life of a Wilmette man whose catamaran was broadsided and cut in two by a power boat just off the Wilmette Beach Saturday afternoon.

Jack Wall, 47, remains hospitalized in serious, but stable condition after his Hobie Cat was run over by a 33-foot Chris Craft, "Shadow II," captained by Wilmette resident George W. Peterson, 85.

As a beach full of anxious holiday sunbathers looked on, Wilmette Park District employees Benjamin Kraus and Sean Davoren brought Wall to shore. They were met by Wilmette Fire Department paramedics, who immediately took Wall to Evanston Hospital for treatment of severe lacerations to his buttocks and thighs, apparently caused by the power boat's propeller.

A second man on the catamaran, Kendrick Anderson, 49, also of Wilmette, escaped injury.

According to Captain Jim Getz of the Illinois Conservation Police, Wall and Anderson had been sailing on a 16-foot Hobie Cat about a quarter of a mile off the Wilmette beach when the accident took place on Saturday at 4:37 p.m.

Investigators still are determining what happened, but Getz said the cabin cruiser struck the catamaran, knocking both men into the water. The power boat ran over the smaller boat and dragged it underwater for "some distance," Getz said.

Windsurfer Ted Bristol, of Wilmette, who said he was almost hit by Shadow II, witnessed the events prior to and during the course of the collision.

"I was on a starboard tack while the Hobie was on a port tack. We were on a converging course and did what we're supposed to do; I headed up and he headed down. The power boat evidently didn't see me or the 26-foot sail on the Hobie, and absolutely broadsided it...I didn't see them (the power boat) make any evasive action; he just didn't see us."

In a written affidavit to investigators, Peterson asserted, "I was guiding the boat from the Captain's seat going north when the Hobie cat with two people aboard came across my path and I stopped the engines of my boat, but could not avoid striking the Hobie Cat."

Bristol commended Kraus and Davoren's quick rescue. "They couldn't have acted quicker. These guys deserve a medal."

Getz concurred. "Kraus was there instantly," he said. "Had it not been for Kraus being there so quickly, Wall could have bled to death while he still was in the water."

Kraus, 19, and Davoren, 18, both Wilmette residents, had just finished helping another sailor right his Hobie after it had capsized when Kraus glanced over his shoulder and witnessed the impact. "We got over there in about 15 seconds, and found a man swimming in a pool of his own blood. After we asked if he was all right, he said 'I can't feel my legs...they're numb," said Kraus.

"Immediately we brought him over to the side of the boat, and as I began administering first aid Ben rushed us to shore wile radioing for help," said Davoren.

"Sean did a wonderful job stroking his hair, keeping him calm and asking him questions to keep him conscious." Kraus continued, "It's amazing how you take what little training you have, how all your thoughts come together. You do everything instinctively."

"I would like to praise the efforts of our entire Lakefront staff, and especially Ben and Sean who were on a rescue boat at the time of the accident," said Wilmette Park District Director Terry Porter. "Their timeliness in rescuing the injured sailor prevented a more tragic outcome to this accident."

Getz said charges were pending in the accident. Investigators were trying to determine if reckless or careless conduct was involved, and also whether one of the two boats failed to yield the right of way properly. It was not a high speed accident, he added.

Peterson had three passengers on board Shadow II, his wife Elizabeth, daughter Jorjalee Golinsky and son-in-law Phillip Golinsky.

Getz noted the area where the accident took place was congested with other boat traffic. The weather at the time was clear and calm.