Three men jumped from a fast-moving boat Sunday evening and one was critically injured.

Indiana conservation officers are investigating what happened about 5:20 p.m. Sunday after “horseplay” that left a Wabash County man with a skull fracture and a severely lacerated skull.

According to a statement issued Monday, Mitchell Morris, 22, of LaFountaine, Chad Bassett, 23, of Wabash, and T..J. Morris, 23, of LaFountaine, were riding in a boat going 40 mph to 45 mph when the three jumped into the Mississinewa Reservoir.

Two came up to the surface quickly, but Mitchell Morris came up several seconds later with the severe head wound and a severe cut on his right hand. Conservation officers do not yet know whether the injuries came from hitting debris in the water or coming into contact with the boat.

The boat was operated by Aaron Shaw, 22, of LaFontaine.

The three got Mitchell Morris into the boat, called 911 and took him to the Pearson’s Mill boat ramp. Emergency workers from the Wabash City and Noble Township fire departments arrived and called the Parkview Hospital Samaritan Helicopter to transport Morris, the statement said.

He was taken to a Fort Wayne hospital and was taken immediately into surgery.

As of 10 a.m. Monday, Mitchell Morris was in critical but stable condition, the statement said.

Conservation officers said the boat occupants were not wearing life preservers.

“This is a situation where horseplay resulted in the unfortunate serious injury to a boater,” the statement said.