Articles taken from New Zealand Newspapers on accidents involving boat propeller strikes.
Monday, October 11, 2010 11:45 pm Luke Evslin, seen here in this 2006 photo, was seriously injured in the Moloka‘i Hoe canoe race Sunday when his crew’s escort boat accidently ran over him. .
..LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i native Luke Evslin was seriously injured during the Moloka‘i Hoe canoe race Sunday when he was run over by his crew’s escort boat. He remains in stable condition at Maui Memorial Medical Center, Evslin said Monday afternoon from his hospital bed.
Right when he jumped from the escort boat to make a three-person crew change, a wave hit the boat, sending it overtop of him.
When the bottom of the boat and propeller hit Evslin, 25, he said he thought he had been cut in half and was relieved to reach back and feel much of his body.
“I felt the prop go through me,” he said, noting feeling “pulp” where his back skin used to be.
He swam to the surface and started screaming and the two other paddlers who were supposed to enter the six-person canoe during the partial crew change came to his aid, helping him back into the escort boat, which had quickly turned around to aid the men who were competing in the annual Moloka‘i-to-O‘ahu outrigger canoe race.
Evslin recalls lying on the floor of the boat and, based on the terrified looks on the faces of the boat crew and paddlers, he thought the end was near.
“I was pretty sure I was dying,” he said. The paddlers jumped on his back to provide direct pressure to control the bleeding and later told him they could see his spinal cord, he said.
The ocean was too rough to allow an airlift from the boat, or even his transfer to a larger boat for an emergency evacuation, so the escort boat returned to Hale O Lono Harbor on Moloka‘i. The trip takes around an hour, which he recalled as both the longest 60 minutes of his life and a time to reflect on all his blessings.
“That whole hour seemed like eternity,” he said, noting it gave him time to feel the love surrounding him on the boat and the love of his family from afar.
“I wasn’t scared of death in the slightest,” Evslin said. He felt enveloped by a “feeling of total love.”
When the boat reached Hale O Lono Harbor, paramedics were waiting. He was stabilized at Moloka‘i General Hospital and flown by helicopter to Maui Memorial Medical Center, as the weather was too bad for him to be flown to Honolulu, he said.
On Maui, three surgeons worked on him simultaneously, treating him for the outside wounds to his back and a “knicked” spine, broken pelvis and bruised kidney, but nothing he can’t fully recover from, he said.
Evslin plans to leave the hospital Friday and in three months be back in the ocean, he said. To win his hospital release, all he has to do is prove he can walk with a walker and sit up long enough to make the plane ride from Kahului to either Honolulu or Kaua‘i.
While he lives on O‘ahu now, he is considering rehabilitating on Kaua‘i, he said.
On Monday, he was in stable condition, though he said he lost a lot of blood. He didn’t know how many pints he needed. Also on Monday, he stood up for the first time since the accident, he said.
Evslin is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Lee Evslin of Wailua Homesteads. His fiancé, Sokchea Eng, and Dr. Evslin flew to Maui to be with him.
The escort boat captain also called and visited him. “He’s more shooken up than me,” said Evslin, whose doctors and nurses on Maui have told him their greatest concern is possible infection of the spinal column.
The canoe crew continued on without making the change, so the nine-person crew became a six-man Ironman team slicing through the entire Ka‘iwi Channel, 41 miles, in very difficult conditions.
They were finishing the race before the escort boat got back to them, and the boat’s crew conveyed the news that Evslin had been injured and may not have survived, because at that time they didn’t know his condition, Evslin said.
Brian Curll, president of Wailua’s Hui O Mana Ka Pu‘uwai Outrigger Canoe Club, said he spoke Monday with Evslin’s mother, who detailed the extent of the injuries to his spine, back muscles and side.
“He is in a great deal of pain and is presently on a self-administered morphine drip so that he can attempt to keep himself comfortable and reduce muscle contractions so that he does not re-tear himself,” Curll said in an e-mail.
Curll said Evslin has been able to be online and has looked at posts on www.ocpaddler.com, an ocean paddler website. Well-wishers can leave messages for him at that site.
Carlton Helm, in a post on the website, said Evslin was injured while making the first change off La‘au Point, Moloka‘i.
“He was severely propped and incurred injuries that he stated if it was an inch higher, or lower, from the initial area of injury, would have been fatal,” Helm said.
SEARCH AND RESCUE 29 January 2010, 8:40AM
Scuba diver injured when struck by boat propeller
By Westpac Rescue Helicopter - MARLBOROUGH
The Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter rescued a man struck by a boat propeller from the Marlborough Sounds late this afternoon.
The helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic onboard, responded to Ships Cove in Endeavour Inlet just after 3pm.
When the helicopter arrived at the scene they found a man who suffered a serious injury to his leg when he was struck by a propeller.
"As we understand it the man was coming to the surface when his catch bag caught on the moving propeller, dragging him into it" says Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman Dave Greenberg. "The boats skipper immediately put the boat into neutral but the mans leg was struck causing a deep wound to his leg".
The 58 year old Palmerston North man was onboard the boat in the Marlborough Sounds. When the accident occurred people onboard the boat called for help via their marine radio and headed for Ships Cove where they could dock and the helicopter could land nearby.
The man was treated by the WFA paramedic and transported to Wellington Hospital where he is currently being treated in the Emergency Department.
Man may lose toes after boating accident
NZPA January 14, 2011, 9:10 am
A man may lose some toes after his foot was caught in the propeller of the boat he was launching at Matauri Bay in Northland.
Holidaymakers from a nearby camping ground rushed to his aid as the 44-year-old man was left screaming in agony with his mangled foot on the shore.
A surgical nurse among the campers wrapped the man in a blanket and tended to his foot until the arrival of ambulance officers.
Firefighters cleared a space for the Northland rescue helicopter to land and the man was flown to Whangarei Hospital.
Helicopter rescues injured woman after boating accident in Waikawa Bay
December 10, 20100 comments
Press Release – Westpac Rescue Helicopter
The Wellington Based Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to Waikawa Bay in the Marlborough Sounds this morning.
A 49 year old female from Australia was about to go swimming but when she hoped off the back of the boat she was struck by the propeller. She suffered lacerations to both of her legs and a possible fracture to one leg. The people on the boat administered first aid on the way back to Waikawa Bay.
The Helicopter responded to with a Wellington Free Ambulance Paramedic on board.
On arrival of the helicopter the boat was at the wharf and the Picton Ambulance staff were on the vessel treating the patient.
The patient was flown to Wellington Hospital Emergency Department where she was treated for her injuries.
LIFE CUT SHORT: Rebecca Stockwell.Relevant offersA Marlborough bride has been killed on her honeymoon in Fiji in a horrific boating accident. Rebecca Stockwell, nee Crawley, was snorkelling when a boat propeller struck her.
The 27-year-old from Blenheim had been married for just six days to Hayden Stockwell. They were married at Crawley's sister's house in Blenheim on Saturday, November 24, and flew to Fiji last Wednesday for their honeymoon.
They were snorkelling together at 10.30am on Friday off the island of Matamanoa, on the west coast of Viti Levu, when a passing boat hit Crawley with its propeller, Fiji police spokesman Josaia Weicavu said.
The boatman, who is a labourer at the resort hotel, went for help.
Crawley was airlifted to a Lautoka hospital but died, Weicavu said.
Police had interviewed the boatman, who told them he did not see the couple snorkelling.
The police were waiting for the post-mortem report, Weicavu said.
Six members of the couple's grieving families have travelled to Fiji to support Stockwell.
In a death notice published yesterday, addressed to his "darling wife Boodles", Stockwell said: "What we had was so short, but nothing or nobody has ever in my life made me as happy as you have. Your infectious laugh and smile and your glowing eyes will be in my heart forever."
Crawley's colleagues at Mark Stevenson First National Real Estate, where she had worked for seven months as a saleswoman, were devastated.
"Bec was a fabulous person who was always full of joy. A very caring and positive person, she was loved by us all," Stevenson said.
"The planning and lead-up over the past months to Bec's recent marriage was for all of us a wonderful experience and we are struggling to come to terms with the tragic accident that has ended Bec's life."
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Diver injured by boat propeller
7:35 PM Thursday Jan 28, 2011
A man struck by a boat propellor while diving in the Marlborough Sounds today was flown to Wellington Hosopital for treatment on a serious leg injury.The Wellington-based Westpac rescue helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic on board, responded to Ships Cove in Endeavour Inlet just after 3pm."As we understand it, the man was coming to the surface when his catch bag caught on the moving propeller, dragging him into it," said Westpac rescue helicopter crewman Dave Greenberg.The boat's skipper immediately put the boat into neutral but the mans leg was struck, causing a deep wound."The 58-year-old Palmerston North man had been on board the boat in the Sounds. When the accident happened others on board called for help via their marine radio and headed for Ships Cove where they could dock and the helicopter could land nearby.
The man was treated by the paramedic and then taken to Wellington Hospital for treatment.
- NZPA
Diver run over by own boat in freak Kawau Bay accident
From The Rodney Times, 22/02/1999
A Kawau Bay diver suffered back lacerations when he was run over by his own boat in a freak accident on Saturday. An English visitor, the 33 year old fell off the boat and was hit by it's propeller after starting the motor to pick up his diving partner a few hundred metres away.
He had not realised the motor was in gear and went overboard when the boat lurched forward. With the anchor still down the boat circled around the anchor rope and went over the top of the man.
He managed to swim to a nearby rock, and his diving companion went to his aid. The pair flagged down a passing boat to take the injured man to Sandspit. Warkworth St John Ambulance officers picked him up and took him to North Shore Hospital.
Propeller Slashes diver's leg
From The Evening Post, 13/12/1999
A diver's leg was slashed and broken after he was tangled in a boat propeller in Tory Channel yesterday. He was airlifted to Wellington Hospital in the Westpac Trust rescue helicopter with serious injuries.
A Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic treated the man. A spokesman from the crew said he understood the 41 year old Nelson man stepped off the back of the boat while it was still moving backwards.
Mercy Dash to save man's leg
From The Evening Post, 16/01/2001
A man was severely gashed when he was run over by his own boat in a freak accident at the Chatham Islands last night. Wellington's Life Flight Trust air ambulance made a five hour over-night mercy dash to save the 23 year old Chatham Islands man's leg. The freak accident occurred shortly after 5pm when the boat's 40hp outboard engine flicked into gear as the victim started it.
Trust Crew Chief Dave Greenberg said the man was thrown overboard and the boat began circling him, getting closer each time. "In a desperate bid to protect his head and chest the man kicked out at the boat, sending it off track of his head." Mr Greenberg said. "Unfortunately, the propeller struck the back of his right leg several times, causing severe damage."
Short out -takes from newspapers and accident reports:
In New Zealand in 1998 there were 123 strikes by boat propellers.
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A 46-year-old North Shore man died while diving for scallops with three friends off Kawau Island on 8 January when a 10 meter boat ran over him, its propeller killing him.
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A man jumped over the side of a boat to learn how to ski, whilst the vessel was towing a skier behind. When the vessel slowed down, the man sank in the water and was dragged by the current under the boat. He surfaced about 10 meters behind the boat. He received cuts on his leg and foot from the propeller.
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A diver was snorkeling. He sustained injuries consistent with having been hit by a propeller of a passing boat. The injuries proved to be fatal.
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Victim was assisting to launch a runabout when a wave caught the vessel as the motor was running and the propeller engaged. The wave swept the victim under the propeller area as the operator of the vessel accelerated away from the wharf. The victim received a deep gash to his left thigh.
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Passenger's foot was injured by the propeller when swimming towards dolphins.
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Injured person was seen to lose his balance on the inflatable sponson of the boat. He was seated on the port side and was the foremost passenger on that side. The skipper stopped the motor as soon as possible but as the boat was doing 20 miles per hour at the time it was too late to stop the injured person striking the propeller skeg and propeller with his arm.
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A 14 year old girl attending a party at a friend's home, jumped into the water by a lighted pier at midnight. Some young men were watching the party from their boats off the pier. One of them started their boat and turned hard to move further from the pier. The stern drive unit passed over the girl cutting her severely. Victim successfully sued for $4.5 million US.
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Propeller man's miracle escape
First published in The Argus, UK on Tuesday 03 September 2002:
by our news team
A man narrowly escaped death when he fell into the propellers of his inflatable boat.
Tim Maddran was within inches of becoming the third person to lose his life in the waters off Brighton this summer when he tumbled over the side of his dinghy. The 41-year-old fell against the propeller's blades, receiving gashes to his back and head as he struggled underwater.
His terrified girlfriend, Tracey Stanmore, 38, switched off the engine and Mr Maddran managed to fight his way to the surface. Coastguards were stunned by what they say was a miracle escape. The accident happened on Saturday afternoon as Mr Maddran and Miss Stanmore spent a day boating. After a couple of hours drifting between the two Brighton piers the pair set off for Shoreham harbour.
Mr Maddran, of Stonery Road, Portslade, said: "I normally sit inside the boat and steer but on this occasion my girlfriend decided to have a go so I sat on the side to tell her what to do. "I looked away for a moment and I was gone, straight over the side. "I felt a stunning blow but managed to get myself up to the surface as quickly as possible. "By then the boat was about 10ft away but I managed to swim back to it. "I didn't really understand what had happened until we saw the back of my T-shirt was shredded."
Mr Maddran said the propeller had felt like a cheese grater going over his back. He said: "Another couple of inches and it would have been curtains. I know I'm lucky to be alive. "I have got away with five stitches in my head and six fairly large grazes on my back."
Mr Maddran thanked Shoreham coastguards, who gave him emergency treatment on shore. He said: "In future I will be more cautious and I urge other people to stay inside their boats, especially children. It's true the sea is an evil mistress."
Coastguard Dave Cassan said he had not witnessed a luckier escape in his ten years based at Shoreham. He said: "This person had a line of propeller blade injuries on his spine, straight up the middle of his back and a cut to the back of his head. "His head was still bleeding when we got to him. It took the hospital about two hours to stem it. I have never seen someone come away from propeller injuries so lightly. "Normally a person hit by a propeller ends up with injuries which are either extreme or fatal. "Another half inch and we would have been talking about another fatality"
Mr Cassan said people who sat on the sides of boats put their lives at risk. He said: "This man was just doing what everyone else does. "A lot of people sit on the sides because it is nice and bouncy but all you have to do is glance away for a second and you're over. "I can't count the number of times I have seen speedboats leaving Shoreham harbour with children sitting on the bow. You cringe because it's a horror story waiting to happen." | 
