DNR investigating Cedar River boat incident that seriously injured man on inner tube

CEDAR RAPIDS — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is seeking information regarding a boating incident over the weekend on the Cedar River that left one man seriously injured.

The Cedar Rapids Police Department identified the man as Isaac Allen Blazek, 41, of Cedar Rapids.

Police said Blazek was thrown from an inflatable inner tube and struck the back of a docked pontoon boat, suffering a serious head wound.

The DNR said the inner tube Blazek was riding was being pulled by a green and white personal watercraft on the Cedar River on Sunday afternoon near Mohawk Park in Cedar Rapids when the incident occurred.

Blazek was transported by air ambulance to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. There is no available update on his condition, the DNR said.

The DNR declined to give more details as to how or why the wreck occurred, citing the ongoing investigation.

Anyone in or around the area who may have witnessed the event or any events before this crash, or who knows of any information that could assist authorities with the investigation, is encouraged to contact DNR Conservation Officer Travis Graves at (319) 350-2863.

Comments: (319) 398-8238; kat.russell@thegazette.com.