A man is suing North Myrtle Beach and Shark Wake Park after suffering “significant injuries” when he was allegedly struck in the head on a ride at the North Myrtle Beach Park and Sports Complex.
Horry County resident Benjamin Greene was knocked into the water when an object hit his head on the wakeboarding course ride on July 6, 2024, according to the lawsuit. The object in question isn’t specified in the suit and Greene’s lawyer didn’t respond to The Sun News’ requests.
The ride was “extremely dangerous, more so than a typical wake board course ride,” the lawsuit says.
Shark Wake Park allegedly had no lifeguards on duty in the tower and Greene’s brother had to swim out to help him because he was unable to exit the water on his own.
Greene is suing Apex Water Parks LLC, doing business as Shark Wake Park 843, the city of North Myrtle Beach, which owns and leases the property to Apex, and two Horry County residents. According to the lawsuit, Josh Johnston and Scott Osborn were working as employees and/or agents of Apex Water Parks.
“Defendants knew, or should have discovered and known, of the defective and hazardous conditions,” the lawsuit says. “Defendants did not take any steps to correct or repair the dangerous and defective conditions, or to warn users.”
According to the lawsuit, the defendants failed to train and supervise competent employees, staff the state-required ratio of lifeguards to customers, perform routine maintenance and initiate and follow adequate safety procedures.
They also allegedly did not maintain safe conditions, warn customers of the hazards or have proper safety equipment for injuries.
In addition to mental anguish and “extreme and painful injuries” from which Greene “is informed and believes that he will have permanent adverse effect and disability,” the lawsuit says, adding that he has and will in the future suffer financial loss, require medical treatment, incur substantial medical bills, be prevented from attending ordinary activities and be subjected to strong drugs and medications.
Greene is seeking actual, consequential, punitive and special damages, though the summons doesn’t name a specific dollar amount.
In a text to The Sun News, a spokesperson for North Myrtle Beach said the city doesn’t comment on pending litigation. The Sun News was unable to reach Shark Wake Park for comment.