Operator/victim stated the gas engine had sheered a prop pin and he had raised the motor to work on it; when he leaned over the outboard motor it fell back into the water causing him to fall overboard.  Victim was in chest deep water and unable to pull himself back into the boat.  He has had a stroke in the past 3 years and been diagnosed with MS.  Upon locating V1 and inspecting I found an empty pint bottle of Evan Williams whiskey and another partial pint bottle that had been opened.  The anchor rope was wrapped around the trolling motor prop and the anchor in the boat.  Victim stated he tried to use the rope as a prop to stand on in order to get back in the boat, but failed.  Two fisherman found the victim and V1; they had to pry his fingers from around the bushes he was clinging to.  The ambulance driver reported a strong smell of intoxicants on the victim.  At the hospital the victim's core temperature was 85 degrees and he was med flighted to a Little Rock hospital.  Blood was drawn and sent to the Health Department for testing.
CHOCTAW                       