NAPLES – A Massachusetts man was injured late Saturday afternoon when his personal watercraft exploded.

Karl Marchionda, 31, of Danvers was injured after attempting to start the vehicle after fueling approximately 10 gallons of gas into a Sea Doo GTX155 PWC at Long Lake Marina, according to a release from the Maine Warden Service. Marchionda attempted to start the PWC and it exploded while he was seated on the machine in the water.

Marchionda was the only person on the watercraft when the incident occurred. Witnesses say that Marchionda was launched about 20 feet into the air and the cowling of the machine went about 60 feet. Marchionda landed on the dock face first. He was transported to Bridgton Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries mostly contained to his face. He was not burned during the incident. Marina owner James Davenport quickly extinguished a fire that had started in the hull of the Sea Doo.

Primary investigating Game Warden Neal Wykes stated that a lock ring securing the fuel lines to the gas tank had become loose and allowed some fuel to enter the hull of the machine. Early investigation results as to the cause of the explosion point to gas fume ignition when the machine was started. Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office and Naples Fire and Rescue assisted. The incident remains under investigation.

A Massachusetts man was injured late Saturday afternoon when his personal watercraft exploded in Naples. (Photo courtesy of the Maine Warden Service)