Boy Mauled by Prop on Paugus Bay

[bclaker]

http://www.laconiadailysun.com/index...d-boataccident

[VitaBene]

I'm often not one for prayers, but have said one for this young man.

My engine is always off when anyone is near the back of my boat for any reason.

[NHWakesurfer]

I really hope he is ok what terrible thing to have happened.

Vita you are so right about turning the boat off when anyone is near the back. The one thing in the story that is concerning and I know people do this all the time and shouldn't but it would appear if the only other person in the boat with the dad was the younger brother and the injured boy was 10 there was no legal spotter of the age of 13 or older keeping an eye on the skier. There are many a days I wish I could go out there for a ride but without a legal spotter we just don't young kids just don't have the ability understand pending danger or they just don't stay focused on the job of watching. We had a friend tell me a story they were out with young kids spotting and one of the riders got the rope and ski tangled up and was getting dragged underwater and the driver couldn't tell and the kids really weren't paying enough attention to know it was bad. The only way it work out is the skier had to pull off the ski underwater to get out of it.

prayers to the family and hope for a speedy recovery.

[Lakesrider]

The marina my slip is in has very strict policies, that no swimming is allowed within the marina dock area. Still I see people "Taking a dip" to cool off. Right next to the prop. I wonder why he was backing up? Usually you make a really wide swing around the person to get the rope back to them. Very sad to see this happen I hope he does well with recovery. My wife has scars on her leg from a prop hitting her during a boating accident where she was thrown from the boat and got run over. She was lucky. Her brother in law lost most of his arm muscle from the same accident. I can't imagine......Poor kid, and I feel bad for the father too. I can't imagine....

[SAMIAM]

Thoughts and prayers to that poor kid. That is a boat operators worst nightmare and I'm sure his dad is suffering greatly for that lapse in judgement.
Like VB, the motor is shut down when anyone is anywhere near the stern.

[granitebox]

This is above and beyond and perhaps the most touching part:

"Members of the Fire Department remained at the scene and cleaned up the boat so that the grief-stricken father wouldn't have to deal with that when he returned."

[Janet]

Below is from WMUR's website:

Fire officials said the boy and his father were stopped in Paugus Bay when the boy's shirt flew off the boat. He jumped in the water to get it, but his dad didn't see him and backed over him.

[brk-lnt]

Damn, that really sucks.
Hopefully the kid will be OK and won't be permanently affected physically (beyond some scaring, which I'm sure is inevitable).

[Woodsy]

It just goes to show you how ONE quick lapse in vigilance can result in a horrific accident.... I cannot imagine what those poor people are going through!

I hope the boy makes a full and speedy recovery!

Woodsy

[pcmc]

My heart is sinking reading this. Many prayers to the boy. My heart goes out to the family. I can only imagine the father's state of mind, hang in there!

[Coolbreeze]

Silent prayers said here for the boy and for his father. May they get beyond that day with a speedy recovery and mended souls.

[ITD]

Originally Posted by Janet

Below is from WMUR's website:

Fire officials said the boy and his father were stopped in Paugus Bay when the boy's shirt flew off the boat. He jumped in the water to get it, but his dad didn't see him and backed over him.

It sounds as though it happened quickly as most terrible things do.

I try to drill into the very few I let use my boat, people in the water then the motor is off and always, always look in the direction the boat is going.

Prayers to the boy for a quick recovery.

[Bizer]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

... My engine is always off when anyone is near the back of my boat for any reason.

I go even further. I remove the key from the ignition and hold it up and announce for everyone to hear, "The key is out of the ignition". Before I return the key to the ignition, I announce, "Starting the boat" and wait to see if anyone objects.

[mowtorman]

My heart aches for this young boy and his family. As I posted before

Duoprops are meat cleavers that can do more damage in a shorter period of time than an alligator.

Even with the finest, most expensive and the most current safety features boating is a recreation that a matter of seconds stands between pleasure and tragedy. It is the captains responsibility to safeguard his passengers while they are on his craft. It is not my intent to place blame and I do not wish to do so, I think in general the boating population minimizes the risks inherent when you leave the dock. Once you have witnessed or been a part of one event similar to this one it changes your perspective and boating is not all fun and games anymore. Be always on your guard and keep your people safe, last and least yourself.

[AB_Monterey]

Just horrible.

Hopes and prayers for a quick recovery.

[bclaker]

http://www.propellersafety.com/2012-...ler-accidents/

[salty dog]

My wife and I were up for the week and boating on Paugus just an hour before. This (for me) is different than reading about a collision type of accident; the thought of a prop blade causing this type of injury just gives me that stomach churn feeling. We feel terrible beyond words for the father and the injured boy. Our hearts go out to the family.