On 5/29/11, at approx 11:35am a flatboat with three people on board, was manuevering a gradual turn on the west pearl river when all three subjects were ejected into the water. All three were wearing uscg approved pfd's and made it safely to the shore. However, their boat was still under power and turning circles in the river near the sandbar. 
It was at this time that a bystander on the sandbar decided to retrieve the boat, even though he was warned not to. Bystander entered the water and waded toward the circling boat. As it approached, he attempted to grab the bow but his hands slipped off. The boat proceeded to run over him and then he was struck in the head and face by the propeller. He did not resurface. 
Another bystander on the shore, saw this, entered the water, dove under and recovered the victim. He brought him to shore and cared for him until airmed arrived on the scene. Bystander received lacerations to his face, lost teeth and has a fractured skull.
According to the operator of the boat, the boat was "porpoising" as it was going through the right hand turn, so he slowed down to correct slow speed, approx 20-25 mph, which was corroborated by a bystander. 
This boat is a commercial made flatboat with a 50hp yamaha outboard motor with a jackplate. It was being used recreationally at the time of this incident. Neither alcohol nor drugs was a factor in this incident.

PEARL RIVER                   