RedactedNarrative: On July 16, 2017 I received a call from a Natrona County Sherriff's Office (NCSO) deputy stating that a boy had just been struck by a boat propeller near the Cottonwood Campground. The sheriff’s deputy informed me that life flight had been launched and that they were approximately 10 minutes from the scene. I notified another game warden about the incident and immediately headed to Alcova Reservoir. Upon arrival it was learned that the life flight medics had just left with the injured boy. It was described that he had a severe laceration to his leg. Upon getting briefed by the officers on scene, myself and officer2 began conducting interviews of the operator and other nearby witnesses. Our first interview was the operator. Operator stated that he was pulling some children in the water towards the small island off the shore when one of the children (his grandson) lost his grip off the bow of the boat and floated back and became stuck in the propeller. Operator stated that the children were in the water hanging onto the boat as he was driving them to the island.
  
  He stated that there were two juvenile females hanging onto bumpers tied to the bow and that the boy was hanging onto the trolling motor that was also mounted on the bow.  After reversing out approximately 100'-120', Operator turned his boat so that he could drive the kids in towards the island.  The point when he turned the boat is when it is believed that the young boy lost his grip.  At this point, the boat continued turning and the stem of the boat was now adjacent to the boy in the water.  When Operator engaged the throttle to move forward, the boy got sucked into the prop and became injured and stuck.  
  
  Operator stated that he was unaware that the boy had lost his grip and he believed that he had hit a rock when the boy was struck.  Once he recognized that he had struck the boy and that he had become stuck, Operator screamed for help and he entered the water to help the boy. Upon hearing his screams, 3 other individuals from separate parties entered the water to assist too. The boy's leg had become lodged in the prop and Operator and one of the witnesses used a knife to cut the tangled swim suit off the boy, freeing him. Once free, the injured boy was loaded onto a waiting jet ski and taken to shore. Once arrived on shore, multiple people worked to stop the bleeding; shirts were used as makeshift tourniquets.  Once the deputies arrived on scene, trauma gauze and a proper tourniquet were utilized.  Once life flight arrived, the boy was evacuated and taken to Casper.
  
  Given the facts gained from speaking with witnesses it was determined that the operator in this case was directly responsible for this accident.  Had he not allowed the children to ride on the bow, this accident would not have occurred.  By do so, he was reckless in his operation of the watercraft and was changed with such.  This case is pending.