On 08/22/2010, I, Indiana Conservation Officer was working boating overtime on the Lake James chain, on Jimmerson Lake, speaking with Steuben Co. Marine Patrol Officer.  At 1:31 PM, I received a call from Steuben Co. Dispatch advising of a boat accident that had occurred on Lake James.  Dispatch advised that a male subject had a propeller injury to his leg and that they would be in front of the Potawatami Inn.  I immediately proceeded to the scene signal 10, followed by Officer in her patrol boat, also signal 10.  I arrived in the area and was waived down by subjects at the east boat dock in front of the Potawatami Inn.  

Upon arriving on the scene, the victim, Victim was sitting in the passenger seat of the boat he had been aboard.  He was conscious and alert, but was pale and appeared to be in shock.  Victim had a towel wrapped around his lower right leg and a ski rope tied around his upper right thigh, acting as a tourniquet.  I advised dispatch of victim's condition and location for medical personnel.  Fremont Fire Rescue arrived on scene, as well as Steuben Co. EMS, and Steuben Co. Sheriff's Dept. Marine Patrol Officer.  EMS and Fire Rescue immediately attended to Victim.  The towel that was wrapped around Victim's leg was removed, revealing a large laceration to his right shin, with exposed bone and bone fragments.  Victim was treated on the scene and transported by ambulance to Cameron Memorial Hospital for treatment.  Victim was then transported by ambulance to Parkview Hospital Main Campus in Ft. Wayne.  Victim had an open fracture to his right tibia and fibia, as well as soft tissue damage around the injury.  Orthopedic surgery was performed on Victim's leg and a External Fixator (Halo) was placed on Victim's lower right leg to stabilize injuries.  As of 08/23/10, Victim was listed in stable condition.

In speaking with involved subjects, the following events took place.  victim was operating a 1995 Four Winns Horizon 190 MC6440RZ on the first basin of Lake James, on the north east side of the lake, approximately 400 yards south east of the boat docks in front of the Potawatami Inn.  Victim's wife, , and their daughter were aboard, with two other peoeple being towed behind the boat on separate tubes.  The tubes were connected to the boat by two ropes.  While towing the tubers, the tow ropes became entangled.  Victim stopped the boat, put the boat in neutral with the motor running and went to the rear deck of the boat and untangled the ropes.  When the ropes were untangled, Victim threw the slack in the water and advised his wife to "give the boat some gas" to distance the slack rope from the propeller.  Operator put the boat in gear and moved the throttle forward, causing victim to slip in and his lower right leg to contact the moving propeller.  Victim was removed from the water by his wife, who flagged down a passing boat, waiving her arms and yelling for help.  Good samaritan was boating in the area and went to Victim's boat to assist.  samaritan called 911 and then towed Victim's boat back to the east dock in front of Potawatami Inn, where he was met by myself and other law enforcement and rescue personnel.

Angola                        