Synopsis-  VICTIM suffered two propeller cuts on her left calf and left foot when her father, OPERATOR, put the boat in reverse while VICTIM was trying to climb on the swim ladder.  Her parents, a nurse and a paramedic, took her to the dock, wrapped the wound and called for an ambulance.  VICTIM was transported to Primary Childern's Medical Center in Salt Lake City.

Initial Call-  I received a call from Wasatch Dispatch of a 12 year old girl who had a propeller cut at the Island boat ramp of Deer Creek State Park.  I responded, lights and sirens.  Dispatch advised that a nurse and paramedic were already on scene.

Arrival on Scene-  Upon arrival I found, VICTIM, seated on the dock, wound already bandaged and packaged, along with her parents: OPERATOR,  a paramedic fire fighter, and her father's fiance, a nurse.  A local EMT had also just arrived on scene.  parents informed me what had happened and that she had suffered two prop cuts, one on her left calf and one on her left foot.  

Interview Driver-  I obtained some initial information from OPERATOR.  He stated that his daughter had been swimming and he had seen her swim to the boat to get on the rear swim ladder.  He stated that the wind was blowing him into shore and he was worried about his boat running aground.  He stated that he thought his daughter was already in the boat, so he put the boat in reverse to back away from shore and heard his daughter scream in pain.  I obtained name, DOB, and contact information.  At this time an ambulance arrived the Wallsburg fire department.  

Transport-  VICTIM was loaded into the ambulance and taken to Primary Childern's Hospital by ambulance, accompanied by her father.


Boat Inspection-  With the assistance of Ranger, I performed a vessel inspection on the boat, and interviewed the remain passengers of the boat.  Subject1 stated that he was at the back of the boat and saw victim swim across the back of the boat reaching for the swim deck, when he heard her scream.  He reached down and pulled her out of the water onto the swim deck.  He stated the boat quickly was driven to the dock, where the parents provided medical aide.

Conclusion-  From the statements of the driver and passengers, I appears that the boat accident, resulting in propeller cuts to left leg, where the result of an accident caused by operator inattention by putting the boat in reverse gear with a swimmer trying to enter the boat at the swim ladder.
Heber City