Propeller AccidentsNews Coverage of Boating Accidents from 1990 through 2004
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If you are aware of coverage of an accident from 1990 through 2004 that is not reported here, please contact us.
14 Dec 2004 Daily Telegraph (Australia) "Legs Sliced by Boat Propeller" reports a 15 year old boy from Sydney named A. Berbeek-Martin caught his feet in the propeller of a dinghy while climbing into the back on Thursday afternoon 9 December. His feet were caught in the propeller off Bundeena. He was airlifted to St. George Hospital. "It will be three months before the Bundeena teenager can walk again."
5 Nov 2004 Deutsche Press-Agentur "Six Feared Dead After Danube Boating Accident" reports a motorboat (a converted tug) hit a barge Thursday 4 November at Vienna on the Danube River near the Reichsbruecke Bridge. Two bodies have been found (one "mutilated by the barge's propeller), four are thought to be still missing and are feared dead.
30 August 2004 Associated Press "Boy Killed by Propeller During Boat Rescue Attempt" reports from Cleveland Ohio a 13 year old boy, A. White, was killed in an attempted rescue when a boater found him and a friend drifting on a log asking to be rescued the afternoon of Friday 27 August on Lake Erie. The boater, operating a 23 foot Sea Ray, told the boy to "watch out for the propeller", "he didn't". The prop caught the boys leg and pulled him under. He was rescued the second time by the Coast Guard, revived, but was dead on arrival at Metro Health Medical Center.
25 Aug 2004 Liverpool Daily Post & Echo Ltd (U.K.) "Girl Hurt in Boat Horror; Lifeguards Suspended After Horror Near Beach" reports A schoolgirl was struck by the propeller of a rescue boat and seriously injured. Two lifeguards were suspended. MIAB (the U.K. Coastguard's investigative group) reports a 10 year old girl with severe stomach injuries was rushed to a hospital on Monday after the accident in Southport, just off the shore of Ainsdale beach around 3:30pm. One lifequard may have been the girls older sister. The young girl fell overboard and was tangled in the propeller not far off the beach near Pontins, off the A565 Southport Coast Road. "She suffered severe lacerations to her abdomen and is believed to have sustained internal damage". The child was airlifted to Preston Royal Infirmary. A followup report in the same papers August 26th, indicated the inflatable rescue boat was only to be used for rescues.
12 August 2004 Press Democrat (California) "Propeller Injury Found on Sea Lion" reports a Sea Lion observed for several days in the Petaluma River was found dead and injured by a propeller. A necropsy will be performed to determine if the 2 to 3 year old died from the propeller strike or an illness.
26 July 2004 The Times "Speedboat Kills Swimmer at Family Reunion" reports on an accident in Malaysia where Joanna Stillwell, a 23 year old female British backpacker, was making a round the world trip to join her family on the Malaysian island of Pulau Redang. About 8:30 am Saturday July 24th, she was in the water near a beachside hotel. Police report she may have been "about 50ft outside the safety zone reserved for snorklers and swimmers after seeing a small turtle and swimming after it." A small boat thought to be a passenger ferry cut her torso and legs as she surfaced. The boat driver pulled her aboard, but she was dead by the time her parents arrived.
23 July 2004 CDNN (Cyber Diver) "Instructor Loses Leg, Student Almost Loses Arm After Captain Andy's 'Spirit of Kauai' Runs Over Scuba Divers" reports from Lihue, Kuaai Hawaii that a local dive instructor and a first time diver from Arizona were injured by propellers yesterday (Tuesday afternoon 22 July) while making a shallow diver in a bay near the west end of Na Pali Coast. The first time diver was having trouble with his buoyancy compensator and had drifted up to near the surface. The instructor went up to help him (neither of them breaking the surface). The instructor saw the oncoming boat and tried to push the student down. The boat that struck them rushed them to a nearby cruise ship, Pride of Aloha, where they were treated by the ship's doctor, then flown by a Naval helicopter to Lihue where the instructors leg was amputated above the knee. The student's arm was severely lacerated, but he has feeling in his right hand and can move his fingers. The student's son was also diving with them at the time. They were taken to Wilcox Memorial Hospital.
10 July 2004 Reno Gazette-Journal (Nevada) "Lake Tahoe Boating Crash Remains Under Investigation" reports H. Minasian, a 15 year old teenage girl was struck by a propeller on Lake Tahoe on July 4th about 4:15pm about 11.5 miles offshore of Incline Village Beach. She and her cousin were on a PWC driven by her cousin's mother when it turned in front of a 27 foot boat and was stuck. Early reports indicate both vessels left a congested area and were rapidly moving to open water. The PWC was to the right of the boat, made a left turn and was hit by the bow of the boat. The young girl lost a lot of blood, had lacerations to her liver and kidney, cannot walk, and faces months of recovery at her home in Los Angeles.
8 July 04 The Hooksett Banner (New Hampshire) "Auburn Girl Dies in Boat Accident" reports Samantha Smith, an 8 year old girl from Auburn, was on vacation with her family on Lake Wicwas in Meridith on July 3rd. She fell from an 18 foot boat towing a skier when the boat turned, and was hit by the propeller. She was taken to Lakes Region General Hosptial and died of injuries including severe abdmominal lacerations.
6 May 2004 Fiji Times (Suva - Fiji Islands) "Man Dies at Sea" reports Isoa Maravou originally from the village of Nacavandi was traveling to the Post Office in Qarani with the owner of a fiberglass boat. They arrived in Qarani. He asked to ride along to Nawaikama village, then be dropped off at Qarani and their way back. He is thought to have fallen out on the way back to Qarani and was hit by the propeller. The boat pilot felt a bump, then found Mr. Maravou had fallen in. They searched a while, then got help from a nearby tourist boat. His body was found and kept for viewing by a pathologist from Suva. With no refrigeration available, the body rapidly deteriorated and caused problems at the facility. The Labor Minister said boat operators in rural areas "were not covered by Occupational Health and Safety Regulations".
May 2004 accident - Dance Marathon "Jack's Story" reports a May 2004 accident in which a 4 year old boy named Jack fell from a pontoon boat and was struck by the propeller. His mother struggled bringing him to the surface, and he was airlifted to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta in critical condition. In a coma for a few weeks and several surgeries later he is now six years old.
30 Apr 2004 Daily Post (Liverpool England) "Power Boat Racer Tells of High-Speed Crash Escape" reports one of few actual propeller guard strikes (someone hit by a guard). Mel Pengelly, age 30 of Neston, was racing in the Thundercat series (small high powered, two man RIBs) off the Channel Islands of the coast of St. Peter Port yesterday (29 April 2004). His boat collided with another, he and his co-racer were thrown over 25 feet into the air. Mr. Pengelly recalls driving over the other boat, "the propeller guard struck the other racer's head. I was holding the tiller at this point and could feel the impact." The racer who was hit was taken to the hospital and told by doctors "He cannot race for at least five weeks." (PGIC comment - he was probably wearing a helmet, but this is still amazing).
26 Apr 2004 Daily Telegraph (U.K.) "Boy Cut by Propeller" reports a 13 year old boy suffered "severe leg injuries" when his outrigger canoe hit a 6 meter aluminum boat 25 April near the ramp at Schultz Canal at Nudgee, a suburb of Brisbane. His leg was cut by the propeller of the aluminum boat.
COMMERCIAL VESSEL- 3 March 2004 The Mirror (London England) "Ferry Propellers Kill Plunge Man" reports a 25 year old man was on the Shannon Ferries vessel in the estuary yesterday (2 March) going from Kerry to Clare. He fell in and was "swept under the boat's propellers about 4:30pm. His brother saw him fall. The crew managed to recover his body, but was unable to revive him. His body was taken to Ennis General Hospital, then to Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick for a post mortem examination.
UPDATE on a 2004 accident 11 May 2008 The Citizen (South Africa) "Para-Swimmer Breaks Record" reports Shireen Sapiro, a competitive swimmer, was waterskiing in 2004 on the Vaal River when a speedboat ran over her, the propeller shattered her in the pelvis and left her partially paralized. She is now 17 and recently broke a world record for the 100 meter backstroke at the World Paralympic Cup.
29 Dec 2003 Daily Telegraph (U.K.) "I Didn't Want Them to Rescue Me" reports on the progress of the British surgeon, Dr. Andrew Lyons, after his propeller accident.5 Dec 2003 Sarasota Herald-Tribune "Mote Monitors Dolphin Calf: The 80 Pound Mammal is Recovering After Being Injured by a Boat's Propeller" reports Personal Watercraft are beings used to monitor the progress of a year and a half old dolphin calf recovering from a propeller injury that would have probably killed it if it were not reported by an alert boater in November. The fresh gouges had entangled monofilament fishing line in them, working the cuts deeper, preventing the wound from healing, and could have eventually severed his tail flukes, rendering the young dolphin helpless. A group from Mote Marine Laboratory Strandings Investigation Program netted the Dolphin just east of Little Gasparilla Island Nov. 14, removed the line, treated the wound and injected antibiotics. The dolphin, now nicknamed Palcinda Dolphin seems to be healing nicely.
30 Oct 2003 Daily Star (St. Vincent accident) "Sailor is Chopped to Pieces" reports M. McCarthy, a marine engineer celebrating five years in the Royal Navy (U.K.) was diving with other sailors on a private launch. As it came to dock in Kingston on the island of St. Vincent he fell from the boat, was sucked under, struck by the propeller, and killed. The accident was watched by his friends on the destroyer, HMS Manchester.
28 Oct 2003 APNews from Kingston, St. Vincent "British Sailor Falls Overboard From Tour Boat, Killed by Propellers" reports Michhael McCarthy, 21 of England, was killed Saturday Oct 25th when he fell from the deck of the HMS Manchester (a destroyer) and was sucked under by the propellers of a tour boat preparing to dock at Kingston. He "died from severe cuts from the yacht's propellers."
6 Sep 2003 Alexandria Daily Town Talk (Louisiana) "Boat Accident Lawsuit" reports Yamaha Motor Company and others involved in a lawsuit surrounding the propeller accident of Michael Davis, age 36 of Alexandria. He was struck by the propeller of a Skeeter boat at Red River in October 2000 and has since been a quadriplegic. Yamaha will pay him $6 million in compensatory damages, Dawson Marine and Boat Sales will pay $750,000 in damages, Skeeter will pay $100,000 in court costs. Progressive Insurance will pay $25,000 in damages and $10,000 in court costs. Prosecutors claimed the boat was overpowered, resulting in auto-generated turns.
28 Aug 2003 The Capital Times & Wisconsin State Journal "Girl Hit by Boat's Propeller, Badly Hurt" reports a 16 year old girl was struck by the propeller of a boat towing an inner tube she was riding on Wednesday 27 August. Police were called at 2:37 pm after she and a 16 year old boy both fell or jumped from the tube, the boat came around to pick them up and hit them both. The boy was not injured, she suffered serious but not life-threatening injuries. After the accident, the boat stalled and they had to be rescued by another boat. The girl was taken to Divine Savior Hospital in Portage, then airlifted to University Hospital in Madison.
25 August 2003 Associated Press Newswire "Teacher Recovers From Propeller Injuries After Accident" reports from South Hero Vermont: J. Miller, a teacher at Duxbury School was hospitalized after she fell from a boat and was struck by a propeller Sunday 23 August on Lake Champlain. A friend jumped in to save her, and their boat drifted away. The friend lost his glasses and was unable to find the boat. When he could not find the boat, he swam toward what he thought to be the nearest shore. A boater in a 30 foot pontoon found the injured teacher in the water, then located the friend in swells about 300 yards away swimming for help. The teacher was hospitalized at Fletcher Allen Health Care. The gentleman that found them from his pontoon boat called 911 from his cell phone and others on board tended to their injuries.
25 August 2003 The Western Mail (United Kingdom) "Boy Critical After Falling on Propeller" reports an 11 year old boy from Newcastle-under-Lyme, near Stoke, fell from a speedboat when it collided with a rigid inflatable boat a few hundred yards from shore off Llanrhystud, near Aberystwyth, at around 7pm on Saturday 23 August. He hit the propeller when he fell and suffered life threatening injuries. The boy was taken to Bronglais Hospital, airlifted to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, and later taken to the University of Wales Hospital in Cardiff.
5 August 2003 Trinidad & Tobago Newsday (Trinidad) "Tiger Searches for His Master" reports the dog belonging to lifeguard Andy Seeraj spent much of yesterday swimming off Mayaro looking for his master, unable to understand he was killed Sunday 3 August in a propeller accident. Around 1 pm Seeraj went out for a swim, he was hit by the propellers of a fishing boat with two men on board. Another life guard with help from others pulled him from the water with a fishing seine after he had been struggling in the water for more than 30 minutes. He was still alive but one of his hands was almost severed and he had a deep gash on his head, plus several cuts and bruises on his body. He was taken to Mayaro District Hospital before he died.
4 August 2003 The Spokesman Review (state of Washington) "Propeller Strikes, Kills Valley Man; Victim Found in Clear Lake" reports a 37 year old Spokane Valley man was apparently struck by a boat propeller and killed Saturday morning 3 August near Mallard Bay Resort at Clear Lake southwest of Spokane. His body was found floating in a empty boat. Two people in rowboat spotted his boat circling with no one in it. After the engine quit, they investigated and found his body in the boat. The dead gentleman had "severe head and chest injuries, and had less serious injuries on his legs". He appeared to have been struck by the prop of the 17 foot Starfire boat he and another man had rented from an Air Force boat he and another man had rented from an Air Force base resort.
30 July 2003 Daily Telegraph (U.K.) "Surgeon Injured in Holiday Boat Horror" reports Andrew Lyons, a British surgeon, is hospitalized after yesterday's (29 July) propeller accident. He was ran over by a boat driven by his wife while on holiday on the island of Majorca. This accident is followed up on by several more recent reports on this page.
15 July 2003 BBC (U.K.) "Boat Propeller Killed Swimmer" reports Wais Kakar, a 27 year old man from London, was visiting Bournemouth with some friends Sunday (13 July). He was swimming east of the pier about 6pm BST when he was struck by a speedboat. Investigations by a detective, Chief Inspector and Pathologist report his " injuries were consistent with him having been struck by the large propeller blade of a boat."
9 July 2003 The Kentucky Post (Covington KY) "Evidence Revealed in Boat Probe" reports on a "bloody hit and run crash on the Ohio River June 27." A $187,000 boat named the "Snap Decision" is the center of the inquest. It is 40 foot Baha with twin 502 engines. Seven people were on a 21 foot open bow pleasure boat. Six of them were injured during the nightime accident. The Baja''s propellers show signs of fresh paint and fibers. Propeller injuries were not specifically listed in the article.
30 June 2003 Boston Globe reports two sisters received severe cuts from the propeller of a "runaway boat" on China Lake. The girls, ages 6 and 12, were is stable condition Saturday. They had been thrown from a 14 foot boat piloted by their dad when he lost control of it Friday night 27 June, apparently after hitting something in the water. They were taken to Maine Medical Center.
26 Jun 2003 San Antonio Express-News "Mystery: Who Was on Boat?" reports an update on a hit and run propeller strike that resulted in the death of Laura Putnam in a May 26 collison on Lake LBJ in Texas. She was on the lake in a relative's baat with her new fiance and his cousin. They were stationary with their navigation lights on, a craft bore down on them, it ripped into the drivers side where she was sitting, she went airborne and into the water. Her body was found on June 8th with "a chopping wound above her left eye." On June 17th they found a white boat with maroon stripes and a damaged propeller on a lakeside property owned by two prominent businessmen. They and some other couples had came to the lake to celibrate the San Antonio Spurs victory in the NBA semifinanls that weekend. The accident occured about 2:30 am. Per their account, the businessmen were asleep at that time, if their other guests had used the boat they think the guests would have told them. They say someone used their boat, but they are not sure who.
11 June 2003 Accident Date - Shelby Howard fell from a pontoon boat and was killed by its propeller. A lawsuit was later filed by her parents, Dwayne and Linda Howard v. Mercury MerCruiser and Beachcomber Boats. U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Texas, Texarkana Division.
13 Jan 2003 Townsville Bulletin (Australia) "Propeller Hits Man" reports a 42 year old man fell from a boat and was hit by the propeller about 6pm Friday 10 January off Shoal Point near Mackay. The propeller " inflicted severe facial injuries". "Ambulance officers reported to be unable to distinguish the man's eyes or lips because his injuries were so severe". He was taken to Mackay Hospital and transferred to Townsville.
30 Dec 2002 The Newcastle Herald (Australia) "News - Injured by Propeller" reports a Queensland woman was swimming near Hawks Nest when stuck by the propeller of a runabout driven by one her friends that was towing a float carrying children. She tried to dive to avoid being struck, but suffered "severe cuts to her left leg" about 5 pm Saturday 28 December. She was airlifted to John Hunter Hospital where "she had extensive surgery".
5 Dec 2002 Townsville Bulletin (Australia) "Police Investigating Cause of Reef Propeller Accident" reports a 22 year old diver was struck by the propeller of a dinghy operated by his own crew while diving for sea cucumber on Kelso Reef about noon, Tuesday 3 December. His "buttock was sliced open with a boat propeller off Townsville." A Queensland Ambulance Service spokesman said he was very lucky not to have been more seriously injured and "We have all seen what a boat propeller can do to a body, and have seen some horrific injuries, they are like razors."
22 Oct 2002 New Zealand Press Association "Boatie Injured by Propeller" reports a 64 year old Ngaruawahia man fell from a boat and his head was struck by the propeller in the western Bay of Plenty this morning. He was pulled unconscious from the water, revived, and airlifted to Tauranga Hospital. Injuries included head lacerations and a serious hand injury. The report was filed from Wellington NZ.
1 Oct 2002 Salt Lake Tribune "Swimmer Missing" reports National Park Service divers are still searching for Ken Kidder, a Colorado man, in the Knowles Canyon area of Lake Powell. He was last seen trying to clear a rope tangled in a houseboat propeller on Saturday 28 September. He had a PFD on at first, then removed it saying he could not dive to the propeller with it on. He did not resurface after his third attempt in about 40 feet of water.
19 Sept 2002 BBC (U.K.) "Boy Hit by Boat Propeller" reports Ross Morgan, a 6 year old Cornish boy from Playing Place near Truro, fell from his fathers 18 foot Lugger boat during a family fishing trip on July 6th off Loe Beach at Feock on 6 July as the boat operator steered so another boat could pass. An off duty surgeon attempted to resuscitate him on the beach, Ross was life flighted to Royal Cornwall Hospital. "A pathologist's report said Ross died of serious head injuries caused by the propeller."
2 Sept 2002 Newquest Media Group Newspapers (U.K.) "Propeller Man's Miracle Escape" reports T. Maddran, a 41 year old man, fell over the side of his inflatable dinghy and hit the propeller blades receiving "gashes to his back and head" as he struggled underwater on the afternoon of Saturday August 31st. After drifting near the two Brighton Piers, the set off for Shoreham harbor. When he fell over he felt a stunning blow, surfaced as quickly as possible, his girlfriend stopped the engine, but the boat was about 100 feet away. He managed to swim to the boat, received 5 stitches to his head and six fairly large grazes on his back. The Coast Guard reported it was a miracle he was not hurt much worse.
1 Sept 2002 - Per Nevada court filings- R. Tyler, a young woman on a houseboat rental vacation at Lake Mead with several other people, was in the water near the rear ladder waiting for another lady to finish climbing the ladder. An outboard engine was started and both of Miss.Tyler's feet were struck by the houseboat propeller on this date.
16 Aug 2002 The Kentucky Post "Lawsuit Accuses Ragland Claim Centers on Boat Outing" repors on a July 2001 boat outing on the Kentucky river in which a woman, E.M. Houston, accuses Mr. Ragland (formerly convicted of a 1994 sniper slaying of a football player) or pushing her from a boat, after which she was injured by the propeller. Others claim she jumped from the boat and was injured by the propeller when she tried to get back in.
14 July 2002 - on this date, Leigh Ann Wilson, age 24, was struck by the propeller of a boat with some of her friends onboard that accidentally ran over her in Clear Lake (Lake County CA). A major artery in her leg was cut and she bled to death. This information was supplied by a family member that indicated the accident was covered by the Lake County Record Bee newspaper.
6 July 2002 Boston Globe "Developer Charged in Boating Fatality Longtime Friend Killed by Craft's Propellers" reports William Sanderson, age 62, a realtor in Norwell was boating with a friend at Martha's Vineyard on July 4th. His friend's performance boat, a 47 foot cigarette boat named "Thunder Enlightening" was landed in shallow water about 4 pm near Chappy Point Beach on the Edgartown outer harbor. Mr. Sanderson was helping several passengers out of the high sided boat. While he was wading back toward the stern, he was sucked underwater and struck by the propellers. He was taken to Edgartown Yacht Club, then transferred to an ambulance to Martha's Vineyard Hospital with "massive abdominal injuries". Mr. Sanderson was pronounced dead at the hospital at 4:40pm.
24 June 2002 The Canadian Press "Boat Propeller Slashes Arm of Maple Leaf's Winger Mikael Renberg" reports the 30 year old hockey player was boating with family and friends in Sweden near his summer home on the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea on Thursday June 20th. While pulling up anchor, he slipped, fell into the water, tried to swim away, but was still struck by the propeller of his eight meter boat. It sliced through a muscle on his upper right arm. He was taken to a hospital in Pitea, treated for injury and shock. The Akron Beacon of this same date also reported this accident.
June 2002 (unknown exact date) (from a much later 2 August 2007 report on GoUpstate.com in North Carolina), "12-year-old Clayton Reed Spencer died after being struck by a ski boat propeller" on Lake Bowen.
9 Feb 2002 The Daily News (ILI of New Zealand) "Houseboat Fall Led to Drowning" reports Philip Eugene Hurley, a man from Hawera, was killed on Lake Rotorangi on 28 April 2001 when he went into the water over the back of the boat and became entagled in the propeller of a houseboat.
February 2002 MAIB Safety Digest "Case 19 Be Prepared" (pg. 42) reports a May 2001 Morayshire club accident that occurred at a RYA training activity. In the late morning two RIBS were to demonstrate how one boat can peel off the other when running side by side at speed (about 15 knots). Just as one boat peeled off, one them suffered a drive failure. The disabled boat rapidly slowed, then took the wake of the other boat. At this time, one of the trainees was thrown overboard and struck by the propeller of the disabled RIB, injuring his left hand. When the wake hit, another trainee was thrown into the "centre line driving rack" and injured. When emergency personnel reached the scene, an instructor had also collapsed into a diabetic coma.
23 Jan 2002 "Man Killed by Propeller in Horror at Boat Show" Daily Mail (London England UK) reports on the trial surrounding a 22 Sept 2000 accident at the Southampton Boat Show. Mr. T. Douglas-Johnson and a boat dealer fell into the water when an 18 foot Italian built Arimar RIB with a top speed of 35mph "careered terrifyingly out of control". They were both drug in the water in the show demonstration area. Mr. Douglas-Johnson unsuccessfully attempted to avoid being struck by the 15 inch propeller. "The 20-year-old marine engineer died at the scene from his injuries." The case accuses the dealer of failing to make sure the engine kill cord was attached to a lady friend of Mr. Douglas-Johnson's that took that was driving the boat. The crew of Zodiak RIB tried to block the Arimar after it was wildly circling with no one at the helm while pulling the two to safety. On one of the circles, the Arimar went straight over Mr. Douglas-Johnson. "He was cut very badly." The Zodiak picked him up and he was pronounced dead a short time later. The Zodiak crew radioed for help before returning to shore.
5 Oct 2001 BBC News "Jackie Chan 'Saves' Stuntman's Life" reports in 2001 while filiming "Rush Hour 2" in Hong Kong, Mr Chan was to kick two stuntmen off a moving boat. One was caught under the boat. Chan pulled him out by the arm just when the stuntman thought he could not hold on any longer and would be killed by the propeller.
1 Oct 2001 Good Housekeeping "My Husband Saved My Life!" Vol. 233 No.4 Pg. 168. Oct 2001. reports on a November 2000 accident in the Carribean where Nina Totenberg, a legal correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR) was injured. She had just married a trauma specialist (Dr. Reines) and chief of surgery at a Boston hospital. They were in Anguilla for a short honeymoon. Snorkeling about 1/4 mile from beach they decided to move back closer, just then a small fishing boat bore bore down on her. Her husband reports "I heard a thunk, and Nina disappeared." She had been struck by the boat and by the propeller. A passing ski boat helped them to shore. She was taken to a small hospital. When doctors removed her bathing cap, her husband saw a bloody grove from her hairline to the crown of her head. "Her skull was laid open" He also reports her front teeth were also broken (maybe by the snorkel and mask) and there was a serious cut in her armpit. "Later he found there were three or four 20-inch gashes on her back". The next day a humble fisherman and his wife came to the hotel with flowers. He earlier thought he had hit a turtle. Ten days later she returned to work.
3 September 2001 Townsville Bulletin (Australia) "Man's Face Hurt by Boat Propeller" reports a 36 year old man was struck in the face by a boat propeller 2 September at Dunk Island. He was airlifted to Cairns Base Hospital about 2 pm.
21 August 2001 Scottish Daily Record (U.K.) "Propeller Horror of Mark 22" reports a 22 year old student from Carluke, Lanarkshire, Scotland was injured by a boat propeller while at summer camp in America on 20 August. M. Ure suffered "horrendous leg injuries", and was dragged under the boat while trying to direct it away from a youngster in the water. Doctors at Hartford Hospital (CT) battled to have his legs last night. Mark, a counselor at Sloan YMCA camp in Lakeville, was teaching a teenager to water ski. The boat, being driven by a lifeguard, reversed too close to the teenager and Mark tried to direct it away from him. "His legs were dragged into the powerful propellers before they could be shut down. His kneecaps were shattered by the impact, the skin was torn from both legs and one foot was almost completely cut off." Surgeons have already removed two toes from one foot, he faces months of painful skin-graft operations and rehab before they will know if he will ever be able to walk again.
19 Aug 2001 Reno Gazette-Journal (Nevada) "Woman Fights to Save Leg After Boating Accident" reports a woman in her early 30's from the Reno-Sparks area was with six relatives, including two of her children, in motor boat about 3:45 pm August 18th at Pyramid Lake. They were going out to retrieve and inner tube that had blown off the beach. She fell from the boat "and got her right leg caught in the propeller." She was treated on site by medics, then lifeflighted to Washoe Medical Center where surgeons are working to re-attach her leg that police said, "the propeller blade cut off the woman's leg almost completely at the knee."
7 Aug 2001 per Daniel Sinacola v Township of Leland - on this date Mr. Sinacola was struck by one or two boats while in a party raft with several other people. Another person responded to a distress cell phone call from another vessel went to aid them and was then returning along with the second vessel when one or both of them drove over the raft, striking Mr Sinacola with the propeller(s).
12 July 2001 Quad City Herald (Brewster Washington) "Boat Accident Injures Visiting Teacher" reports C. Ramirez, an exchange teacher from Puebla Mexico was one of two people on a boat July 4th on the Okanogan River about 10 miles north of Brewster. The boat was towing an inner tube, the boat hit an object in the water and both people in boat were ejected. The boat circled and she was hit by its propeller. She suffered "severe cuts on her face and neck". She could not swim well, but wore a life jacket. Although it was incorrectly buckeled (the life jacket / pfd) "it absorbed part of the blow which may have saved Ramirex from decapitation." She was taken to Okanogan Douglas Hospital and received 50 stitches to close the cut on her face and 30 stitches to close her shoulder wound.
30 Jun 2001 Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX) "Boat Propellers Injure Boy on Lewisville Lake" reports a twelve
year old boy jumped from the second story of a large boat (called a houseboat in one report) on Friday 29 June,
hit the water and "was struck repeatedly by the boats propellers." Paramedics were on the scene about 4:40 pm
and called for a life flight helicopter. He was taken to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. The young
boy was attending a church group outing on a private party boat per police. Other reports place his age at 13.
Still other reports indicate he was in the water and just did not board when the rest did, it was a party boat
rental from Just for Fun Watercraft Rental and was drifting about a quarter of a mile from Pier 121 Marina.
We devote a page to discussing the reporting surrounding this accident at
Some Propeller Accidents Are Misclassified
20 January 2001 Straights Times (Malaysia/Singapore) "Slashed to Death by Boat Propeller" reports a 47 year old illegal Chinese immigrant, Mr. Li Fu Mi was hit by a ski boat while swimming in the Kallang River on Oct 7, 2000. A water ski instructor training four national skiers , "suddenly heard a thud coming from the stern of the craft, where the propeller was situated." Someone pulled the gentleman from the water and another called the police. "He was badly cut on his chest and abdomen and showed no signs of life". The area is designated for water skiing and the public is warned not to swim there, but it remains a popular swimming area.
15 January 2001 The Dominion (U.K.) "Diver Caught in Propeller" reports a 20 year old diver was life flighted from the Chatham Islands with "compound fractures of the legs and several lacerations." The air ambulance left at 9pm from Wellington.
18 Dec 2000 Accident - 15 Dec 2002 Daily Mail (London England paper) (accident in Mexico) "Kirsty Was Hit by the Boat ... The Sea Around Her Turned to Blood" reports an update on the Kirsty MacCall propeller accident of 18 December 2000. Kirsty, a well known pop singer, was diving coral reefs in Cozumel Mexico with her dive master and her two sons. They were a couple hundred yards off shore at Chankanaab Reef. When they surfaced, a powerboat was speeding toward them. Kirsty tried to push one of her sons away. She was struck in the head and side and by the propeller and killed instantly. The boat that struck her, "Percalito", belonged to a powerfull Mexican businessman. Both sides tell different stories about the accident. Her mother is seeking justice and launched a web site, Justice for Kirsty.
2 Dec 2000 Gold Coast Bulletin (Australia) "$700,000 Paid Out for Diving Accident" reports the results of a recent trial involving a diver being struck by a propeller. Thomas Abrey of Norfolk, England was hit on his left forearm by the outboard motor propeller of a safety tender while he was snorkelling of Keppel Island. he was taken to Rockhampton Base Hospital then airlifted to Brisbane's Princess Alexandra Hospital. As a result of his injuries his left arm was amputated below the elbow. Mr. Abrey sued Keppel Tourist Services Pty Ltd (operator of the tender), and the driver alleging the company failed to use a guard similar to those used with surf lifesaving boats that would have prevented the accident.
13 Oct 2000 Illawarra Mercury (Australia) "Propeller Hits Fisherman" reports a 50 year old fisherman from Sydney was struck in the head by a propeller at Sussex Inlet 12 October after falling overboard. The boat was spinning in circles and the propeller jammed on his shirt sleeve stalling the motor. While still caught up in the propeller he was lucky to be in only waist deep water near the Nelson Lane boat ramp.
Oct 2000 - during this month - Michael Davis of Alexandria Louisiana was struck by the propeller of a Skeeter bass boat and became a quadriplegic. This accident later became a court case focused on the boat being over powered. See 6 Sept 2003 news item above.
17 September 2000 Redding Record Searchlight (CA) "Man Suffers Propeller Cuts" reports Felix Shrayber, age 47 of Fair Oaks, was on a personal watercraft headed toward the back of a houseboat on Lake Shasta, fell into the water, and the houseboat propeller idling in reverse struck his leg in four places on Saturday 16 Sept near Jones Valley Marina. He was life flighted to Mercy Medical Center in Redding. Note - this accident later turned into a court case Shrayber v. Holiday Harbor, Inc. 2003 WL 21197691 (Cal.App. 1 Dist., May 22, 2003) (NO. A099975).
11-17 Aug 2000 Cape Gazette (Delaware) "Pa. Man Hurt by Boat Propeller in Dewey" reports a 29 year old man from Philadelphia was on the stern of a pontoon boat in Rehoboth Bay about 3pm Saturday August 5th. He was apparently "trying to retrieve a line off the back of the moving boat, when he lost his balance and fell into the water." He was sucked into the propeller wash and then into the propeller. He suffered "multiple propeller slices on his chest, he and both hands" and was taken to Beebe Medical Center.
16 Aug 2000 Buffalo News (NY) Boy Injured by Boat's Propeller reports a 10 year old boy, N. Murphy of Wellsboro PA, was injured Tuesday morning August 15th while water skiing at Chautauqua Lake. He suffered "several large cuts on both legs" and was treated at Westfield Memorial Hospital. He was skiing behind a rental boat driven by his father. About 9:30 am he fell, his dad stopped to help him, the ski rope became wrapped around the propeller and the boy's foot. The boat was still in gear and pulled the boy into the prop.
7 Aug 2000 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Woman Tumbles From Boat" reports J. Sneesby, age 29 of Kenosha, was riding in a 1971 boat early Sunday afternoon 6 August with her husband and son on Camp Lake. They were about 200 yards from shore when the boat's steering mechanism failed. Her husband who was steering, lost his balance when the boat suddenly veered to the right. When he lost his balance, he knocked her into the water. The boat circled and ran over her. Her husband was able to slow the boat, jump in, and keep his wife from going under till a nearby boater came to help. She received "severe cuts as well as fractures to both legs."
21 July 2000 The New Straights Times (Malaysia) "German Tourist Hit by Boat Propeller" reports a tourist (29 year old Dr. T. Stovbel) from Germany suffered "serious head injuries" swimming near a tourist resort in Pulau Perhentian on 20 July. He was diving with his girlfriend about 1:30 pm, and was hit by a boat propeller. He was sent to Besut Hospital and later transferred to a University hospital.
15 June 2000 Anderson Independent-Mail (SC) "Greenville Woman Nearly Drowns" reports a woman, Ms. Mahoney age 47, dove from the stern of a houseboat on Hartwell lake Wednesday morning June 14th about 10 am to cut a rope tangled in the propeller. During the process she hit her head on something and was knocked unconscious. The houseboat's owner came from the cabin and found her floating face down. He called 911 and a natural resources boat took her to Apple Island where she was life flighted to old McCants Middle School and then taken to Anderson Area Medical Center by ambulance.
3 Jun 2000 Coventry England Telegraph (England) "Battle to Save Man's Leg After Boat Horror" reports a 32 year old man on a narrowboat, thought to be rented, was on the Oxford Canal just outside Rugby about 7pm yesterday (2 June) near Old Onley Farm and Onley Prison. He had been standing on the narrow boat. It is unclear from the article how he "got tangled in the propeller system of a narrow boat". Helicopter life flight transport was called, but unavailable. He was taken by paramedics to Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital. The man was in surgery last night in an effort to save one of his legs.
20 May 2000 per Vanderpool v. Edmondson court case, on this date R. Vanderpool (a young lady) was a passenger on a pontoon boat owned by J. Edmondson and operated by his son. At approximately 6:30 p.m., while the boat was anchored in the Tennessee River, the young lady was holding onto the front of the deck of the pontoon boat with her hand and treading water. R. Edmondson suddenly started the motor, moving the boat forward. The young lady lost her grip on the boat; the boat passed over her. She was struck by the boat motor.
2 May 2000 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Lake Monona Boater Struck by Propeller" reports P. Schroeder, a 46 year old man from Madison, was seriously injured May 1st when thrown from a 15 foot Chrysler tri-hull boat on Lake Monona, about 300 yards from the Elk's club. He was struck by the prop and the boat continued to circle. He was pulled from the water by a passing boater shortly after 4pm and taken to the University of Wisconsin Hospital and Clinics.
11 Jan 2000 AAP General News (Australia) "Boy Hurt by Boat Propeller" reports a six year old boy was fishing with his father at miday today on the Calliope River. He fell from the small runabout, was ran over by it, and hit by its propeller. The boy was taken to Gladstone Hospital in serious condition and plans are being made to take him to Brisbane for more treatment.
23 Dec 1999 Associated Press "Lobster Man Dies After Getting Caught in Propeller Shaft" reports A. Militello of Goucester, age 40, was on the Dean, a fishing boat, near Bakers Island Massachusetts (about 3 miles from the entrance to Beverly and Salem Harbours, when he became caught in the prop shaft about 9:15 am Wednesday 22 December. A nearby fishing vessel notified the Coast Guard which transported him to Manchester Marina. He was then moved to Beverly Hospital and pronounced dead from "multiple trauma". Mr. Militello's son was also on the boat during the accident.
November 1999 Accident - 5 Oct 2000 Birmingham Evening Mail (England) "Accident Verdict" reports Michael Whitley, 54 of Forge Valley Way, Wombourne, was on a diving trip with other divers at the Egyptian resort of Hurghadawhen last November (Nov 1999). A well known writer of naval history, he died of "massive head injuries" after being hit by a boat. Post mortem examination showed he suffered a "broken arm as well as a severe skull fracture" when he was hit by the boat's propeller. His diving buddy tried to save him, but was unsuccessful.
6 Sept 1999 Accident Date - Kenneth Wall, 39, was swimming in a marked swimming area on Prien Lake off
Israel LaFleur beach (south of Interstate 210) on 6 Sept 1999 when he was stuck by an unidentified boat. An
autopsy reported he died "as the result of chop-type injuries of the head from a boat's propeller."
per the suit, Mary Jo Wall, et al v. Calcasuieu Parish Police Jury. Court of Appeals of Louisiana, 3rd Circuit
2002-0451 (La.App. 3 Cir. 12/11/02); 833 So. 2d 528; 2002 La. App. LEXIS 3744 December 11, 2002, Rendered.
Kenneth J. Wall, age 39, was swimming in a marked swimming area on Prien Lake off Israel LaFleur
beach (south of Interstate 210) on 6 Sept 1999 when he was stuck by an unidentified boat. An
autopsy reported he died "as the result of chop-type injuries of the head from a boat's propeller."
The suit alleges there were not enough buoys and rope marking the swimming area. At issue was if
maritime law applied to a swimmer in navigable waters. The case was ruled to fall under maritime law.
9 Aug 1999 Seattle Post-Intelligencer (Washington) "2 SeaFair Spectators Injured by Propeller" reports the driver of a boat started it, not knowing the two women were near the propeller about 4 pm yesterday 8 August. "One woman's foot being nearly amputated" by the propeller and the other woman received "deep leg cuts." Both were taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
26 July 1999 USA Today "Flyers' Tertyshny Dies in Boating Accident" reports Dmitri Tertyshny the 22 year old defenseman for the Philadelphia Flyers was boating Friday night 23 July at Okanagan Lake in Kelowna, British Columbia. He was kneeling on seats in the front a the boat, it struck a wave, he fell overboard forward, the boat ran over him and its propeller struck him in the neck. "He bled very quickly and died very quickly" per and investigator.
4 July 1999 Accident Date - Benjamin Greenleaf, age 20, struck and killed by propeller of a pontoon boat. Reported in USCG Docket 10163 letter from his father along with summaries of several other pontoon boat propeller accidents. USCG-2001-10163-79.
21 June 1999 The Sun (London England) "2 Girl Divers Killed" reports on two separate accidents yesterday (20 June) claiming the lives on young female divers. One of those accidents was a propeller accident. A 29 year old novice female diver was searching for wrecks with her boy friend and five friends from Wrexham Seals Sub Aqua Club. She surfaced a mile off Abersoch, North Wales and was hit by the propeller of the dive boat, suffering fatal head injuries. She was rushed to shore to an ambulance, but pronounced dead at the site.
2 Jun 1999 The Desert News (Salt Lake UT) "New Zealander Drowns in Lake Powell Accident" reports a 35 year old New Zealand man, Timothy Crawford, currently living in Breckenridge CO was on a houseboat with friends on Lake Powell Memorial Day (31 May) when he tried to beach the houseboat in windy conditions. The anchor became caught in the propeller, he entered the water to untangle it, five minutes later his friends pulled him from the water and performed CPR. He was in full cardiac arrest when airmedics arrived, taken to Page Hospital and pronounced dead at 6:30pm.
2 Oct 1998 Birmingham Post (England) "Toddler Fell Into Barge's Propeller" reports Riku Motomura, age two, born to Japanese parents living in South London was on a narrowboat with his parents during a family holiday in Warwickshire on 7 August. The boat was moving slowly, but clipped the bank, he lost his balance, and fell into the propeller. His parents dove in but could not find him. Three or four minutes later they saw his life jacket floating at the rear of the boat. The young boy was taken to Birmingham Children's Hospital by ambulance with serious head injuries and and was dead on arrival.
23 Sep 1998 Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Diver Hit by Propeller Beats Odds by Living" reports an update on B. Schaal, age 47, of Twin Lakes. He was diving with a group of divers on Kenosha County's Power Lake back on August 12th when he was ran over by a speedboat and struck by its propeller. He was given a 20 percent chance of survival as he recieved "several broken bones and deep cuts on his back that left him susceptible to a potentially life-threatening infection." He is now able to get around with a walker and often sits by a front window to watch traffic. His friends honk as they drive by.
31 Aug 1998 AP "Colorado Man Drowns in Lake Powell" reports Scott Elizondo, age 38 of Arvada, was attempting to untangle a rope from the propellers of an anchored houseboat on Lake Powell. He cleared the rope from the left propeller and swam to clear the right propeller and disappeared. The boat motors were not running at that time. Others radioed for help about 3:15pm Sunday 30 August when he could not be found. Divers later recovered his body in about 8 feet of water Sunday afternoon.
24 July 1998 Associated Press "Boy Drowns in Lake Powell Accident" reports a family houseboat excursion was looking for a camping spot in Wetherill Canyon. A 4 year old boy of Bountiful Utah was in the 18 foot runabout associated with the houseboat with six other children when the runabout hit a shoal. The young boy was thrown from the boat and struck by its propeller. He was taken to Dangling Rope Marina in Kane County. A helicopter was dispatched from Page, but he was declared dead at the scene. Note- he was struck the the runabout propeller NOT by the houseboat propeller.
14 July 1998 Los Vegas Review Journal "Lake Mead Area on Deadly Pace With 16 Water Fatalities This Year" reports a Saturday 11 July propeller accident after 6 pm involving Kevan Ulsaker of Herndon VA. He was thrown from a PWC, while swimming back to the PWC he was struck by a boat headed to Hemeway Harbor. The boaters took him to the launch ramp, he was airlifted to UMC. "Suffering propeller cuts along his body, died just after 3 a.m. Sunday.
3 January 1998 accident - 6 February 2003 AAP General News (Australia) "NSW: Man Awarded a Further $40,000 for Motorboat Accident" reports Roderick Allan Moore was snorkelling in the Swansea Channel on Lake Macquarie near Newcastle on 3 January 1998 when he was struck by a motor boat. His estimated lost wages were increased from $150 to $200 per week in the NSW District Court. This adjustment added $40,000 (Australian dollars) to his previous $216,570 judgement against the operator of the boat that struck him for a new total of $256,804. Mr. Moore received severe injuries to both legs and ankles when he was struck by the boat's propeller. He still walks with a limp, uses special boots and a stick. Earlier he was found to have contributed to the accident by snorkelling in a major navigational channel so the award was reduced by 40 percent.
5 Nov 1997 The Virginia Pilot "In Fla. Mishap, Boat Propeller Kills VA. Diver" an AP report says Janice A. Henne, age 65, of McLean VA was on a dive charter with 17 other divers. On Monday 3 November, they were off Palm Beach. The captain put the boat in gear to pickup divers at Breakers Reef and "he heard a thump, thump". Another diver tried to free her from the propeller but could not.
COMMERCIAL VESSEL 14 Oct 1997 Chicago Sun-Times "Swimmer Tried to Dodge Boat / Surgeons Can't Re-attach Leg Severed by Propeller" reports K. Rooney and her husband were swimming 50 to 100 feet offshore (Lake Michigan) off Division Street about 10:55 am Sunday Oct. 12th when she was ran over by the Sea Dog I. Her lower leg was severed above the ankle and found by police, but unable to be reattached because it was too badly damaged. She was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Sea Dog I is a tour boat operated by Seadog ventures.
3 Sep 1997 Washington Post "Boat Propeller Injures Virginia Man" reports J. Thompson, age 38, of Staunton Virginia was riding an inner tube in the Ohio River on Monday 1 September. He "was sucked into the propeller of a boat that was pulling him". Yesterday, 2 Sept. he was listed in critical condition at University Hospital in Columbus Ohio.
27 August 1997 Accident Date - Haley Shannon, then age six, fell overboard on Lake Kaweah in California and was struck by the propeller. The accident later developed into a legal case- Haley Shannon (a minor) v. Phillip Rhodes.
18 Aug 1997 The Sun (London England) "Horror of Boat Plunge - Accident" reports a 15 year old girl from Awliscombe, Devon fell from a dinghy last night (17 Aug) while boating with a friend at Exmouth. They hit something in the water and were both tossed out. The 15 year old was struck by the propeller in the face and "suffered horrific face injuries".
18 Aug 1997 New York Times "Rescue Boat Kills Woman Thrown in Water by Storm" reports a 36 year old woman, M. Papalcure, was on a 22 foot sailboat with her husband headed from Seawanhaka Yacht Club on Centre Island about 4:30 Saturday afternoon 16 August. A power boat returning to Cold Spring Harbor when weather reports told of worsening weather, saw the Papalcure boat in "obvious distress." Before they could reach the boat, they heard a grinding sound and spotted a man in the water. Gusting winds had capsized the sail boat and knocked them into the water. The Papalcures tried to swim for Cooper Bluff, about 1/8 mile away, but were swept away by the winds and current. Mr Papalcure told police his wife lost consciousness after telling him she had been hurt. Her body was later recovered and found to have a severed leg and severely cut torso, apparently hit by the 22 inch propeller blades of the rescue boat. The rescuing boater originally gave the wrong coordinates to authorities due to the panic of the situation.
11 Aug 1997 The Times (London England) "Uncle Arrested After Teenager Dies on Jet Ski" reports a teenage girl, Faye Grundy, and her family were celebrating her sisters birthday on Saturday (9 August) at 40-acre Queenford Lake, near Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Her first time on a PWC, she was riding double, behind her uncle. The PWC collided with a boat towing a skier, she "was catapulted into the propeller of the boat and suffered severe injuries to her stomach and a leg". Several PWCs had been rented by the group. The facility operators reported their rescue services were at the accident site within seconds, she was immediately brought to shore and resuscitation procedures were continued until the ambulance services arrived. She died on the way to the hospital.
10 July 1997 The Sun (London England) "Boat Propeller Kills Dad - Family Tragedy 2" reports John Vardy, a teacher, was cruising on a 30 foot narrowboat yesterday with his wife and three children at Audlem, Cheshire while the lock was filling up. A rush of water hit the boat, he fell from the deck and his head hit the propeller. His "head was sucked into the churning screw".
3 April 1997 Daily News (Los Angeles CA) "Woman Falls into Lake, Injured by Propeller" reports a 30 year old woman was sitting on the front of a fishing boat Wednesday 2 April in Pyramid Lake. She seems to have slipped and fell in, "and was run over by the boat's propeller." She was life flighted to Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. She recieved a "broken left leg and major cuts to her left buttock." The helicopter pilot said the water was so cold it "probably helped stop the bleeding."
6 Sep 1996 Tulsa World - Associated Press "Body of Woman Recovered From Lake" reports C. Jenkins, 35 of Wagoner, fell from a boat when her husband was taking off on Lake Fort Gibson about 11:45 am Wednesday 4 Sept and was struck by its propeller. Her body was recovered 5 Sept with "a large head wound and arm and facial lacerations".
2 Sep 1996 The Sun (London England) "2 Injured by Rogue Ski Boat" reports one couple was in an inflatable dinghy yesterday (1 Sept) while another couple and their daughter were waterskiing on the River Conwy, North Wales. The ski boat plunged out of control, "ploughed" into the inflatable dinghy, the man on the dinghy was struck by the boat and the woman on the dinghy was "severely cut by the boat's propeller." The were both airlifted to a hospital.
23 August 1996 Redding Record Searchlight (California) "Lake Fun Results in Leg Injury" reports D. Joosten jumped from a houseboat about 2pm Thursday (22 August) to retrieve a waterballon about a mile west of Bridge Bay near No Name Island. He was hit by a ski boat propeller, air lifted to Mercy Medical Center in Redding, and underwent surgery on his left foot.
21 May 1996 Watertown Daily Times (New York) "Two Boating Accidents Injure 4 on St. Lawrence" reports Mark Beattie, age 24 of Windsor Ontario Canada, was on a rented Holiday Houseboat near Heart Island on the St. Lawrence River about 2:45 pm Sunday May 19th. As they were pulling away from Heart Island, a lawn chair fell into the water from the houseboat. Mr. Beattie dove in to get it, the remaining passengers on the boat yelled for the operator to put the boat in reverse, he did and the boat backed into Mr. Beattie, striking him with the propellers which cut his leg. Those on board pulled him aboard and drove the boat to Noble-Samaritan Hospital.
20 Feb 1996 Boston Globe "Mass. Man Dies in Virgin Islands" reports a 31 year old man from Massachusetts was hit by a propeller while diving off Coki Point on the nothern part of the island. J. Belanger "was apparently run over by the boat and died instantly." He had been diving with friends.
25 Sept 1995 Redding Record Searchlight (Calif) "Two Cut by Prop on Lake Shasta" reports Two men riding tubes were cut by the prop of the boat towing them Sunday 24 Sept on Lake Shasta. R. Mendenall, 33 of Anderson, had his leg "almost competely severed by the propeller" and was airlifted to Mercy Medical Hospital in Redding. 30 year old T. Kenaly of Redding "suffered cuts on both legs" and was taken by ambulance to Mercy Medical. They were both on a two person tube about 4:15 pm near Digger Bay Marina when the boat was making sharp turns to fling the inner tube around. The driver then turned too sharp and whipped the men into the back of the boat. They were taken to Brige Bay Marina where they were met by medical personnel. The article includes a photo of the injured Mr. Menenhall and recounts other recent prop accidents on Lake Shasta.
25 Sep 1995 CNN News Report "Man Killed in Accident with Gloria Estefan's Boat" reports Gloria Estefan, the singer, was onboard her 33 foot recreational boat with her husband off Miami Beach on Sunday 24 September. Two students from Howard University in Washington DC approached too close on a personal watercraft. Howard Clark, age 29, was sent airborne from the PWC by the wake and "into the boat's propeller". He was killed.
19 August 1995 -incident date - 23 Aug 1995 New York Times "A Woman's Plunge to Death Tranfixes Detroit" reports very early Saturday morning 19 August 1995 in Detroit, Dortha Word was pulled from her car on a bridge over the Detroit river, beaten, and some or all of her clothes ripped off. She jumped over the bridge into the water to escape as about 40 people looked on. Her body was found Monday about 10 miles downriver. The medical examiners office said she drowned. "On of her legs had been cut off, apparently by a boat's propeller."
21 July 1995 Redding Record Searchlight (CA) "Woman's Legs Cut by Houseboat Prop" reports Shirley Jones, age 24 of Klamath
Falls Oregon, sufferred major injuries Friday 20 July when a houseboat backed into her while she was swimming toward it about
6pm at Waters Gulch in the Sacramento arm of the lake. Her legs were cut severely. She was life flighted to Mercy Medical Center
in Redding.
Other reports indicate her injuries were terribly severe and she died 8 days later. Her mother, Shirl Koop, went on to be
an activist for stopping propeller injuries.
1995 - The Koop / Jones accident above and many other related California newspaper items from that era are in USCG Docket 10299 comment # 1773. Copies of many newspaper clippings predominantly on on houseboat propeller accidents are on PDF pages 15 to 30.
COMMERCIAL VESSEL July 1995 accident - 12 May 1999 Daily Record (Glasgow Scotland) "105,000 Pounds for Son of Diver Killed in
Propeller Tragedy" reports the six year old son of a diver killed by a propeller in the North Sea in July 1995 was awarded an out
of court settlement from the cable laying operation. A diving supervisor had erased a "black box" video of the actual accident.
Bradely Westell, age 29, was killed instantly when his support ship's propellers were turned on. Awards were also made to other
family members and dependents.
Other reports indicate Mr. Westell was partially decapitated in the accident.
14 Jul 1995 Boston Globe "Medford Man Hurt in Boat Accident" reports M. Regan, age 30 of Medford, was boating with friends yesterday morning 13 July about 12:45am on Chelsa Creek in East Boston. The wake of another boat caused him to fall in. He was caught in the propeller of his own boat. Mr. Regan injured both his arms and his forehead and was takend to Massachusetts General Hospital.
10 July 1995 Jeanne Sprietsma was riding in an 18 foot ski boat powered by a 115HP Mercury Marine outboard on Dale Holow Lake. The lake spans the Kentucky-Tennessee border. Apparently when the boat turned, she fell overboard and was struck by the propeller, suffering fatal injuries. Her husband, Rex Sprietsma filed suit against Mercury Marine (Rex Sprietsma v. Mercury Marine) and Brunswick (who owned Mercury Marine) used Federal Pre-emption as a defense (since the Federal Boating Safety Act (FBSA) did not require propeller guards on all boats, states could not require them on specific boats). The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court. In late 2002 the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the use of Federal Pre-emption in this case and sent the case back down to the Illinois Court system.
30 June 1995 Dallas Morning News "Healing Through Love: Woman Disfigured in Lake Boating Accident Recalls
Kindness of Kin, Friends and Strangers" reports Stephanie Booker was in a boat on Lake Lewisville in Texas
on 17 June. She and two friends were headed toward Charlie's Pier 121 Marina when a cigarette styled
boat hit the rear of their craft and sped away. She remembers seeing the hull before its propeller struck
her. "I felt my face get ripped off." Her face was almost cut into three parts. Authorities and
investigators are trying to find the hit and run boat. She was flown to Methodist Medical Center in
Dallas.
Note - this accident was covered many more times in the media over the next few years, including coverage
of legal actions, efforts to identify the hit and run, a surprise search of about 3,000 boats at the Lake
in July 1995, searching for wreckage on the lake bottom, possible involvment of a professional athlete,
expiration of time limits to find the hit and run, the case being on a television program called 'Unsolved
Mysteries", etc..
28 May 1995 Redding Record Searchlight (CA) "Two Men Cut by Propellers at Lake" reports on TWO separate propeller accidents happening
almost simulataineously at Shasta Lake near the same place, near Silverthorne Marina, about 11:35 am Friday May 27th. Both later
underwent surgery at Mercy Medical Center in Redding.
Larry Elmore, age 28 of Medford Oregon was "sucked" underwater by a houseboat propeller when the houseboat backed up and bumped
him off a personal watercraft he was docking. "His left foot was badly sliced and his lower left leg was cut to the bone."
Joseph Nolan, age 21 of Red Bluff, was standing in the front of a bass boat when he lost his balance and fell in. "The propeller
cut his left thigh and lower leg to the bone, inflicting muscle damage." Other reports indicate some skiing was going on, he stood
up in the bow of an open bow boat, the engine cut out and restarted causing the boat to lurch and he was ejected. He also injured an arm.
15 May 1995 The Times (London UK) "School Secretary Killed Under Barge Propellers" reports Joan Whitehall, age 47, was a supervisor on an educational trip with about 20 children yesterday, May14th. She fell into Grand Union Canal in Birmingham while the barge was going through a tunnel in reverse. It is thought the barge hit the bank and she "slipped and screamed before being sucked under by the propellers, which trapped her as the boat swept over her. The boat had no safety rail to the rear. The barge was a green narrow boat named Chiltern.
April 1995 "Miracle on Lake Travis" self reports a Texas accident in which a fisherman (M. Evans) in a small boat by himself, fell from the boat, was struck by the prop, the boat continued to circle a while, then abandoned him far from shore. Later, two men returned in his boat and rescued him. His injuries required almost 60 stitches.
19 Sept 1994 Redding Record Searchlight (CA) "Swimmer's Feed Severly Injured by Boat's Prop" reports David Tagg, age 26 of Colorado, was swimming under a drifting houseboat with a friend about 2:45 pm Sunday Sept 17th on Lake Shasta when the engine was started. The houseboat was part of a group of three houseboats. He sufferred severe cuts to both feet and was taken to Bridge Bay Resort & Marina and life flighted to Mercy Medical Center in Redding.
11 June 1994 Phyllis Kopytko was on Table Rock Lake in Missouri enjoying her 19th wedding anniversary along with her husband (Bob Kopytko) and a fishing guide (Paul). They were in an 18 foot 200 HP outboard powered bass boat. All three of were ejected from the boat and it began to circle. She located her husband who told her the boat was coming at her, she dove and managed to escape being struck, but on the second pass she was pulled into the propeller and cut over much of her body. He husband and the guide were both stuck and killed by the propeller. Phyllis Kopytko's left arm was amputated above the elbow and she has endured over 30 surgeries since the accident. She went on to a major force for propeller safety reform and is a member of SPIN (Stop Propeller Injuries Now). This report is an abbreviated version of the one on the SPIN site.
2 Jun 1994 Times-Picayune (Louisiana) "Covington Boy Hurt by Party Barge" reports a Tuesday 31 May accident involving a 14 year old boy from Covington. He fell into the Tchefuncte River and was hit by the prop of a party barge that passed over him. The 26 foot party barge he fell from the bow of was being operated by a 15 year old boy. It occured about a quarter mile north of Louisana 22 bridge in Madison near Deloaks subdivision. He "suffered severe cuts on his legs, back and left arm" and is now listed in stable condition at the St. Tammany Parish Hospital in Covington.
February 1994 Trailer Boats magazine "Can Safety be Legislated?" discusses the "legislation of safety" and mentions one specific accident that occurred in the summer of 1993 on Lake Almanor (a large mountain lake) in Northern California. That afternoon, a 9 year old girl was bowriding on a pontoon boat going about 20 miles per hour. She fell from the bow, went under the boat between the pontoons, and was struck by the prop causing "extensive lacerations, nearly severing her leg. At last report this child was still in critical condition."
Approx 1994 Arizona Accident - 27 Apr 2008 Wyoming Tribune-Eagle "Saving Lives With Blood" tells how those giving blood saved the life of a propeller victim. Arlene Kensinger was skiing on Lake Havsu in Arizona 14 years ago. She was outside the wake of the boat, she released the rope, the boat turned to pick her up and her left leg became wrapped up in the rope and in the propeller. "She was being sucked in." Her leg was cut off at the knee and her femur was split up past her hip. The boat became caught on some rocks and they were a while getting her to the hospital. She had two tablespoons of blood left and required 23 pints of rare O negative blood in 24 hours. Doctors at a Phoenix hospital did not think she would make it. Her leg was amputated at the hip and they waited. She made it and has since waterskied again to prove she could do it. Her name is on the Arlene Kensigner Regional Blood Center in Cheyenne.
24 Nov 1993 Salt Lake Tribune "Appeals Court Upholds Ruling in Product Liability Lawsuit" reports on the case resulting from the 30 Aug 1985 injury of Scott Allen by the propeller of a 16.5-foot-long 1978 Wellcraft Marine operated by a friend. Powered by a 140 HP OMC outboard, the boat swerved sharply ejecing Mr Allen near Wahweap on Lake Powell. He received severe lacerations, his left leg was later amputated above the knee, and he required a colostomy. Mr. Allen sued Minnstar (makers of the boat), Wellcraft Marine, and OMC. The case is being returned to court.
22 August 1993 Sunday Times (London, England) "Speedboat Death Man is Bailed" reports a British accountant was boating in Spain last week off Calahonda beach, on the Costa del Sol when his boat struck a teenager. Lee Mason age 14 from Worthing, West Sussex, was snorkelling in the area. He (the boy) had been staying at a holiday villa with his parents. The boy was fatally injured was fatally injured "suffering head and neck injuries believed to have been caused by the motor launch's propellers." A friend, who was diving with him, tried to stop him from sinking while a couple in another boat pulled them out and took them to harbor.
July 1993 - an article was published many years later describing this accident - 10 Jun 2005 CanWest Interactive (Canada) "Shuswap Lake Survivor Says Houseboat Accident Changed His Life" reports briefly on several houseboat accidents at Shuwsap including a July 1993 accident that claimed the life of Christine Hingley, age 27 and mother of two. A houseboat backed over her while she was trying to board a PWC and she was "caught in its propeller blades".
6 Jun 1993 On June 6, 1993, Kathryn Lewis, an Oklahoma teenager, spent the day with her boyfriend's family on Strom Thurmond Lake in Georgia. The boat was pulling her boyfriend on a tube, turned sharply to the right, and she was ejected to the left side of the boat. The propeller struck her several times in the head and body, and she died instantly. A major lawsuit (Lewis v. Brunswick) was later filed by her family against claiming: (1) the absense of a propeller guard made the engine a defective product, (2) negligence for failing to install a propeller guard, and (3) Brunswick attempted to suppress the production of propeller guards by third persons and exaggerated the performance differences between guarded engines and unguarded engines to discourage government agencies from adopting a safety standard requiring propeller guards. The decision in favor of Brunswick was upheld in the 11 Circuit and the family pushed the case to the U.S. Supreme Court. The case was settled after oral arguements were heard for an estimated $700K but set a new precedent for Brunswick which had not backed down from a prop suit while pursuing the Federal Pre-emption defense.<
8 July 2003 Herald Sun (Australia) "Oil Rig Raid Death a "Freak Accident"". The Australian Army Special Air Services was running a mock raid on a oil rig in Bass Straight on 9 December 2002. Four inflatable boats, each carrying six divers were traveling about 3 meters apart in a staggered formation. The coxwain of one boat lost control when a diver caught his flipper strap on the tiller when he was entered the water. The driver slipped and fell onto his knees. He looked and saw a man being drug by his leg, the boat then veered to the left and struck another diver. He saw a diver about 10 meters away with a face that "looked like it was mangled". The supervising officer said in hindsight, "propeller guards should have been used", however the boat was harder to control with guards. The soldier killed by the propeller was a 33 year old sergeant from Perth.
25 May 1993 St. Louis Post-Dispatch "Godfrey Girl Killed in Boating Accident" reports a 7 year old girl, April Harlan, of Godfrey was killed about 7:20 pm Sunday May 23rd near Foley on a private lake in the Kings Lake area. Her brother fell or dove into the water, her father and another passenger dove in to rescue him during which time she either fell or dove into the water and was struck by the propeller.
11 May 1993 per U.S.Coast Guard Docket #10299 (see pages 49-54) on this date, a group of Federal Land Management personnel from the Western United States, including National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service personnel, were holding a meeting at Lake Powell. As part of the activities, they and their spouses toured the lake on a flotilla of houseboats rented from a local concessionaire. While they were generally headquarted in the area near Temple Bar Marina, C. Falvey, the spouse on an NPS employee, was riding on a personal watercraft behind the operator. She fell from the PWC and realized it would be difficult to get back on from in the water, so she swam to the rear of her nearby houseboat. As she approached the ladder, an engine started and she was pulled into the propeller, receiving very serious injuries.
11 March 1993 Philadelphia Daily News (PA) "1 Million Award K'Od Jury Verdict in Motorboat Death Reversed" reports a State Superior Court trail against Outboard Marine Corportion for an propeller accident that killed 16 year old Kevin Fitzpatrick on 10 August 1990 while he was swimming at Pat Cong Creek Cover, near Ocean City, N.J. His mother sued the company claiming the motor was defective due to not having a propeller guard. The judge said competent people know they must stay clear of turning blades and propeller guards or shrouds may reduce one risk but create another. "An outboard motor is designed to move a boat through water. It has not been designed to allow motorboats to move among swimmers", per the judge.
3 July 1992 Redding Record Searchlight (CA) "Mercy Trauma Plan is Helping Save Lives" reports on the May 7, 1992 houseboat propeller
accident of Stacy Epping. She had been pulled into a Helping Save Lives" reports on the May 7, 1992 houseboat propeller accident of
Stacy Epping. She had been pulled into a houseboat propeller on Shasta Lake about 20 minutes prior to her arrival at Redding's Mercy
Medical Center. Without the trauma system, she would have almost certainly died. Her " legs, stomach and arms were horribly mangled.
She would lose one leg on the operating table." Doctors, surgeons and nurses worked for five hours on her using of 60 pints of blood
to save her life.
Other reports indicate she and about 20 students from Oregon State University had rented two houseboats. She was swimming behind one
of them and was caught in the propeller. A lawsuit was filed in Shasta County Superior Court claiming the "resort was negligent when
it didn't properly instruct the boat renters on how to operate the boat. The company was also negligent because there was no guard
around the propeller."
23 June 1992 Redding Record Searchlight (CA) "Swimmer Loses Leg in Boat Accident" reports Gilbert Silveria, age 24 of Santa Clara, was injured shortly before 6 pm Monday 22 June at the north end of Squaw Creek on Lake Shasta when a houseboat backed into him. He lost his left leg and was cut on his left arm when he was hit several times by the propeller. He was air lifted to Mercy Medical Center in Redding. "A family member started the engine and was jockeying the boat in midchannel to get a better view of a deer on the lake's shore just as Silveria was attempting to board the boat" per a sheriff's deputy.
8 June 1991 Accident Date - A man was getting ready to take some boys from his Sunday School bus route for a boat ride on
June 8, 1991 on Buhlow Lake in Pineville LA. He dropped then off at the lake while he on the way
to his house to pickup his boat. The boys started playing in the water and one of them, Donnie Free,
was struck by the propeller of a boat operated by Mr. Lyons. The boy received "extensive lacerations
over the back of his left hip, shallower lacerations up his back and under his left arm pit, and
lacerations and abrasions on his left thigh." Per the suit, Sharon A. Southern, et al v. John M. Lyons, et al.
Number 97-19. Court of Appeals of Louisiana, 3rd Circuit
97-19 (La.App. 3 Cir. 05/28/97); 696 So. 2d 128; 1997 La. App. LEXIS 1481. May 28, 1997, Decided
30 May 1990 Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer (KY) "Woman Sues Outboard Marine" reports Glynis Wever, age 26, is suing OMC for not putting a propeller guard on a 1987 model, 130-horsepower Cobra engine that injured her in June 1989. The suit is in U.S. District Court in Owensboro. She says she suffered "lacerations, disfiguring scars, permanent crippling injuries, pain and loss of employability,'' Her leg became caught in the propeller when the boats motor was started to move clear of a barge and was taken to Mercy Hospital.