OPERATOR OF VESSEL STATED THAT HE WAS PULLING PASSENGER ON A TUBE BEHIND THE WATERCRAFT.  PASSENGER WANTED TO BOARD THE WATERCRAFT TO HEAD TOWARDS THE SHORELINE.  PASSENGER JUMPED OFF THE TUBE AND BEGAN TO SWIM TOWARDS THE REAR OF THE BOAT TOWARD THE LADDER.  ONCE PASSENGER NEARED THE REAR OF THE BOAT, OPERATOR SAID THAT HE HAD PLACED THE MOTOR IN NEUTRAL.  HOWEVER, THE PROPELLER HAD NOT COME TO A REST AND PASSENGER ON TUBE CAME IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MOTOR, AT WHICH POINT THE PROPELLER MADE CONTACT WITH PASSENGER'S LEFT BUTTOCKS AND CAUSED A LACERATION.  OPERATOR EXPLAINED THAT THEY HAD ASSISTED INJURED ONTO THE BOAT WHERE THEY ATTEMPTED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ATTENTION.  WITNESS VERIFIED WHAT LED TO THE INCIDENT AND WAS ABLE TO SEE A BIKINI BOTTOM THAT WAS WRAPPED AROUND THE PROPELLER AND BECAME LODGED IN THE MOTOR.  WITNESS STATED THEY HAD TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE VICTIM'S BIKINI SO THAT SHE COULD BE FREED FROM THE MOTOR.
WALLOON LAKE
MELROSE                       