The operator of Vessel A stated he was attempting to load the boat onto its trailer. He stated he had borrowed the boat for the day from a friend and didn't want to do any damage to it while it was in his possession. He decided he should not drive the boat onto the trailer, which was already backed into the water on the ramp. Instead, when he got the boat close to the trailer he then jumped out of the boat into waist deep water and attempted to guide the boat onto the trailer by a rope attached to the bow. subject stated before exiting the vessel he thought he placed the throttle into the neutral position but after entering the water he realized the throttle was engaged in reverse because the boat began dragging him towards the center of the Little River channel. He further stated he tried to get to the rear of the boat for appox. 15 mins. so he could get to the ski ladder to reboard the boat. He stated he finally got to the ladder but the motor's foot was turned towards him and the current created by the propeller's spinning motion pulled him towards it. The propeller blades grabbed his shorts and immediatley pulled his body towards them as well. His left thigh struck the propeller causing two lacerations and his shorts became entangled around the propeller which caused the motor to stall. A bystander on the shore swam to his aid. He cut his shorts off, loaded him into the boat and drove them back to the ramp where an ambulance was waiting.
Washington                    