The following boat accident occurred on May 21, 2011, at approximately 1745 hours.

The operator of vessel I was taking the boat out to try it out; it was his first time operating that particular vessel.  When the boat struck a small wave, the operator lost his grip on the tiller and this caused the boat to make a sharp turn, throwing the operator overboard.  The boat continued to turn in circles around the operator, who dove underwater to avoid being struck by the boat.  He was struck by the propeller at one point and suffered lacerations to his back and arm.  He was able to swim to shore. NH Marine Patrol was called as well as the local EMS. Marine Patrol was able to get the runaway boat under control. The victim was brought to the local hospital by a family member.  Investigators from Marine Patrol discovered empty beer cans in and around the vessel, and noticed that the operator did appear to have been consuming alcohol, but did not determine that the operator was impaired.
Laconia                       