(KTNV) — According to a press release from the Mohave County Sheriff's Office, a swimmer was hit by a boat propeller and consequently got several lacerations to his abdomen after moving a boat off shallow water on Saturday.
Deputies with the Mohave County Sheriff's Office Division of Boating Safety responded to the Colorado River north of Lake Havasu after reports of a male who was struck by a boat propeller.
The boat was stuck in shallow water when multiple people went in to attempt to push the boat into deeper water, deputies were told. The attempt was successful.
The operator of the boat began to go in reverse when they thought the boat was in neutral, according to the police. The boat was moving toward a male who was trying to get back on the boat by its rear ladder. This was when the propeller struck him, causing significant lacerations to his abdomen, deputies were told.
Police said that operator inexperience seems to be a factor, with impairment not suspected.
The injured man was transported to a local hospital in stable condition.
Sheriff's officials said the incident is under investigation.
