On sunday, july 14, 2013 i received a call from the lamar county sheriff's office about a boating accident on pat mayse lake.  I responded to the boat ramp at sanders cove a loop where i made contact with a two people.  They informed me that victim was struck by the boats propeller and was taken by ems to paris medical center.  After interviewing subjects it was determined that victim and younger sister were being pulled on a tube when they fell off.  Operator said he turned his boat to the right and swung around to pick the girls up and when he got close to them, he put the boat in neutral.  All of a sudden, they heard victim scream out that she was hung in the motor.  Operator' wife reached over and turned the key to stop the engine.  Operator and victim’s dad then jumped in the water to untangle victim’s bathing suit from the propeller.  After lifting her into the boat, it was obvious the injuries were serious during to the amount of blood loss.  Victim was quickly driven to sanders cove as 911 was called and was stabilized by ems for injuries to her left ankle, left knee, and two lacerations to her left buttocks.  Before heading to the hospital i checked operator and his boat for evidence of alcohol and also safety equipment and registration for his boat.  There was no alcohol on the boat and no one had been drinking alcohol.  Operator had all his required safety equipment and registration was current.  Once at the hospital i interviewed victim before she went into surgery and she told me that the boat seemed to be moving towards her and sucked her into the propeller.  All other witnesses in the boat said they thought the boat was in neutral but engine was still running.  After viewing the injuries and x-rays with dr., it was agreed by both of us that these injuries had to be made by a propeller that was in gear.  I informed victim's parents of my finding and told them that operator most likely did not get the boat into neutral but in fact had it in reverse.  Even though charges for negligence could be filed, all parties agreed it was a horrible accident and didn't want to pursue charges.
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