This page is part of the Propeller Guard Information Center Media Coverage of more recent propeller accidents can be found from there.

If you are aware of coverage of an accident prior to 1990 that is not reported here, please contact us.

We are obviously still in progress of adding media coverage of pre 1990 propeller accidents below.

July 1903 "The Death of Big Ed Delehanty" covered in 15 August 2008 Sports Complex blogs reports Philidephia Phillies famous outfield in the 1890's included "Big Ed" Delahanty. The blog cites a 9 July 1903 New York Times story titled, Baseball Player Swept Over Niagra. Mr. Delahanty had been unruly on a train so the conductor made him get off on the Canadian side of bridge over the Niagra River. He started to walk across the bridge, a night watchman tried to stop him, and he fell through the open drawbridge. When his body was found, "one leg was torn off, presumably by the propeller of the Maid of the Mist ..." as he was found near the Maid of the Mist landing.

12 August 1912 "Boat Propeller Kills Boy" Chicago Times reports Leo MeNulty, age 13 of Chicago, and his brother Robert, age 8, were landing a boat at "Old Dock" on Lake Harbor today. Leo fell over the stern and was killed by the propeller. His brother Robert suffered a similar "probably fatal injury".

29 Aug 1923 "Motor Boat Goes On After Killing Girl". New York Times reports a 15 year old girl, Virginia Johnson, died in the Lake Placid Hospital this morning of injuries received from a "fast motor boat" ran down the rowboat she was in on Lake Placid. Two girls and two boys were in the rowboat. The driver of the boat had been talking to people in another boat and sped off toward the rowboat he did not see till the boys stood up and waved their oars. He tried to miss them, but it was too late. The rowboat was cut in two amidships. Miss Johnson's left leg "received blows from the propeller" and she suffered other injuries as well.

27 Jul 1925 "Girl's Death at Alameda Beach Sifted" Oakland Tribune (California) reports Gertrude Anthony and another girl were swimming near the beach at Alameda yesterday (26 July 1925) when they encountered a hole several feet deeper than the surrounding area. The girls were able to swim a little, but floundered when they were unable to touch bottom. A speedboat attempted to rescue them, but Miss Anthony was "cut about the body by the propeller of the speedboat" and died several hours later at the Alameda Sanatarium. The other girl was rescued as she was going down for the third time and is recovering at an area hospital.

28 Jul 1926 "Hit by Motor Boat, May Die" New York Times Pg.18 reports William C. O'Connor, a Brooklyn policeman, was swimming "outside the lines" yesterday (27 July) off 31st street at Coney Island. He was ran down by a boat operator who said he did not see him. Mr. O'Connor's left leg was struck by the propeller, "nearly severing it". Coney Island Hospital doctors said they would probably have to amputate it. He was listed as being injured, "probably mortally."

5 Sep 1927 "Yacht's Propeller Kills Swimming Physician In View of Atlantic City Crowd on Steel Pier". New York Times. Dr. Richard Bew of Atlantic City Hospital was swimming early tonight about 30 feet off the Steel Pier in Atlantic City New Jersey with the captain of the beach patrol and with the mascot of the life guards. The Princeton, a very nice yacht, made a sharp turn and a wave washed Dr. Bew under the craft. "The propeller struck him on the head, probably fracturing his skull, and inflicted other bruised on the body." The accident was witnessed by several people on the pier.

8 Aug 1930 "Killed by Speedboat" New York Times reports from Bay Shore Long Island that Raymond Henschel, age 26, was in a speedboat on Great South Bay a little after midnight this morning near Cherry Grove. He fell overboard and was struck by the propeller during a sharp turn. He was still alive when the ambulance picked him up at the dock, but died later.

16 Sep 1930 "Launch Propeller Kills Bache Guest" New York Times reports that yesterday (15 Sept 1930) Elsie Hughes (age 15) fell into upper Saranac Lake, was "struck by the churning blades of a motor boat propeller" and died 3 hours later at Saranac General. Hospital. The propeller "severely cut her legs". She had been the guest at a summer camp. She and another girl went motor boating, she reached over the side to retrieve a rope, fell in, and the boat continued over her. Her legs were cut at both the ankles and the knees.

17 Jul 1931 Times Recorder (Zanesville OH) "Hit by Propeller as Boat Capsizes; Drowns" reports Jacob J. Mulinex, age 69 of Toledo, a marine engineer, was alone in an outboard powered boat about 300 feet offshore on Lake Erie near Lakeside Michigan on July 16th. His boat capsized, he was struck by the propeller, and his body was recovered shortly later by a 19 year old girl. Several people witnessed the accident.

19 June 1931 "Speedboat Upset 8 FLung Out, Hurt: Six Slashed by Propeller" New York Times reports from Glen Cove Long Island on June 18th that a speed boat made a sharp turn in Hempstead Harbor off Glen Cove this afternoon (18 June) was upset and sank with six women and two men onboard. "Six members of the party were cut about the face and body when they were caught by the thrashing of the propeller of the boat...". Nicholas Demidoff, age 28 year, was unconscious from "wounds inflicted by the propeller blade". Elizabeth Dunn, age 21, suffered "deep lacerations about the face and body". They were rescued by a nearby yacht and taken by ambulance to North Country Community Hospital. Four others were treated for cuts and bruises. A dog was also rescued from the craft (this is one of the earliest mentions of a dog being present with a propeller strike accident)

6 Jun 1932 Appleton Post Crescent (Wisconsin) "Propeller Cuts Swimmer's Leg" reports Edward Conway, age 16, was riding a surfboard behind a boat on Fox River near Menasha docks about 3pm Sunday June 5th. He fell and was swimming back to the boat. Another boat operator saw him, shut off their motor, and tried to turn, but still hit him with its propeller. He was struck in the foot and leg, and taken by taxi to Theda Clark Hospital with severe lacerations.

4 July 1932 "Boy Escapes Death in Odd Whirlpool" New York Times reports a July 3rd story of Joseph Paterno, age 16, barely escaped drowning and bleeding to death when thrown from a speed boat and cut by its propeller on Upper Saranac Lake this afternoon. Going about 40 miles per hour, he made a sharp turn and was thrown from the boat. The passenger less boat began to circle with him in the middle of the circle. The suction of the boat was becoming greater and he decided to dive and try to swim under the boat. As he dove, he propeller "struck his right hand and wrist, cutting them deeply." The accident happened about two miles out into the lake. After he swam about half a mile, his younger brother saw the boat still turning in a circle and came to his rescue. He was taken to Saranac General Hospital.

12 Aug 1932 "Hurled From Boat, Lost" New York Times reports from Highlands N.J. on August 11th that Frederick Nolte Jr., age 31 of Queens, was in a speedboat on Shrewsbury River near Highlands N.J. on 10 August. He was standing on the engine box and fell over in a turn. The boat operator heard two thumps. He "was instantly killed, it is believed, by the propeller."

11 Sep 1933 "Swimmer is Killed by Boat Propeller" New York Times reports Leo Rubin age 22 of Brighton Beach was killed yesterday while swimming off the "foot of East Fifth Street." Mr Rubin was inexperienced at swimming, so he was keeping himself afloat with an inner tube. He paddled out about 150 feet. An 18 foot boat came by with the throttle barely open, and Mr. Rubin was "caught in the backwash and drawn toward the propeller." His back was severely lacerated and he was rushed to Coney Island Hospital where he died early last night.

8 July 1934 "U.S. Boat Driver Killed" New York Times reports a 7 July 1934 from Paris of a collision in a boat race at Bois de Boulogne Lake (on 7 July) where Charles Wirt, a 19 year old American crew member from Winter Haven Florida, "lost his life in full view of hundreds of Parisians and visitors." Mr. Wirt's boat turned over and he was struck by his own boat's propeller. The race was discontinued after the accident.

15 July 1935 "Killed by Runaway Boat" New York Times reports a 14 July 1935 AP story from Fairview Beach Virginia in which two men were thrown from a runaway speedboat which then kept circling. Ruffer Jill, 23 of Mitchells VA was struck in the head and drowned. Ron Taylor, 22 of Culpepper VA, was gashed in the shoulder by the outboard motor propeller. Both dove repeatedly to avoid being struck. Taylor, a good swimmer, was able to dodge the boat several times by diving, but eventually he surfaced directly in the path of the boat and was struck. When the boat struck him, the prop kicked up out of the water and the boat stopped. The article does not specifically say the dead gentleman was struck by the propeller. This is one of the earliest accidents to definitely describe the circling danger of a propeller powered boat.

19 Aug 1935 "Killed by Speed Boat" New York Times reports an 18 August AP story from Point Pleasant New Jersey in which William J. Rhoads, age 57, was swimming in Manasquan River Canal about 50 feet from his summer home when a speed boat turned to avoid a large cruiser going through the canal. At the last moment Mr. Rhodes threw up his arm to protect his head. His "arm was badly cut by the propeller" He was taken to the hospital and died from shock early today (18 Aug).

1 Sept 1935 Hit and Run Tanker Kills Man; Runs Down Launch Off the Bronx" New York Times reports a COMMERCIAL VESSEL accident involving a recreational craft. Three fishermen were in a boat in East Chester Bay about 8pm August 31st. Its motor failed, they could see other craft in the vicinity. A fuel barge came toward them, they jumped into the water to avoid the collision. John Parsi, age 40 of the Bronx, suffered a fractured skull when the propeller of the barge struck him. His body was picked up by a nearby launch. The disabled vessel the fishermen were on was said to be running without light and had no oars.

24 Aug 1936 "Doctor Drowns in Lake" New York Times reports from Lake Hopatcong N.J. on Aug 23rd that Dr. Jacob Livingston, age 34 of Newark, was riding in a motorboat today, it lurched, he went overboard, and was struck by the propeller. His body was recovered about two hours later.

19 Sep 1940 Port Arthur News (TX) "Boat Propeller Cuts Local Man" reports Claude Plessala, age 36, was fishing from an outboard boat near High Island early Wednesday night (18 Sept). He was thrown from the boat, "bit on the head by the propeller blade", and taken to St. Mary's Hospital with severe cuts to his head.

WORLD WAR II - 20 Jan 1942 "7 Tell of Fight to Stay Out of Propeller" The Washington Post reports a torpedo attack sank a U.S. tanker off the Atlantic Coast. 22 crewmen are thought to have died in the flaming waters and the 7 survivors tell of fighting to keep from being pulled into the propellers.

24 May 1948 "Speedboat Throws Owner in River, Races Ashore, Kills Man at Pier" New York Times. William McDermott, age 47, preparing to cast off his rowboat from the Interstate Boat House just south of Dyckman Street, was struck and killed by a pilotless motorboat. The boat had been going north in the middle Hudson (about a mile wide here), was struck by a wave, yawed, pitched its driver into the river and began to arc toward shore. Hundreds of people on shore watched the pilotless boat approach. It splintered the rowboat and injured Mr McDermott, apparently with a blow from its propeller." He was taken to Jewish Memorial Hospital and died 5 hours later.

29 Jun 1949 "Girl's Feet Severed, Boat's Pilot Named" New York Times reports a 28 June story from Reno Nevada in which Imogene Wittche, age 13 of Roseville California, and another 13 year old girl were swimming in Lake Tahoe when Imogene's feet were pulled into the propeller of a passing boat whose operator later reported they had seen the girls and thought they passed them by a wide margin. The girls reported the "115 horsepower runabout roared down upon them."
a 30 June 1949 report in the Nevada State Journal indicates one of her feet was cut off by the propeller and the other had to be amputated. She is in the hospital and thinks both her feet were reattached by the hospital and she will be up and active in a few weeks. Her father is grieving over how to tell her and the doctors say she should not be told for some time.
Other reports indicate the accident was a hit and run. Investigators shortly tracked down the boat operator and a trial was held in October 1949.

18 Jun 1950 "Propeller Slashes Girl Aquaplaner" Long Beach Telegram (California) reports from Atlantic City New Jersey that Norma Thompson 18 was in a speedboat when her husband fell off his aquaplane. She jumped from the speedboat to go to his rescue and "her left leg caught in the propeller of the boat and was badly mangled." It was amputated above the knee later that night at Atlantic City Hospital.

26 Sep 1950 Oakland Tribune (California) "Rites Pending for Victim of Boat Mishap" reports Aubrey W. Hallam, a 36 year old man from Alameda, was on a pleasure fishing boat, Silver Fox, with several others outside the Golden Gate in very rough water on 25 September. The boat broke up off Point Bonita. He was apparently struck by the propeller. Five others were rescued alive, and one more gentleman perished in the accident.

23 Oct 1950 "Woman Hurt in Boat Fall" Long Beach Telegram (California) reports Kay Wilcox, age 25 of Huntington Park, slipped and fell while boarding an outboard boat yesterday in Marine Stadium. She suffered "severe cuts of the left leg and hip" and was taken to Community Hospital. Her "wounds inflicted by the propeller blades" took 50 stitches to close.

31 May 1950 "Killed in Boat Crash" New York Times reports from Burlington VT on May 30 that Charles F. Black, age 66, was fishing on a small boat with two other people on Lake Champlain. A speedboat crashed into and sank their vessel. Mr. Black's left leg was severed between the knee and ankle by the speedboat's propeller. The speedboat operator pulled the three men from the water. Mr. Black, a Burlington VT attorney, He died shortly later at Bishop de Goesbriand Hospital.

RACING- 30 Apr 1951 "Speedboat Driver is Killed" New York Times published an AP report dated 29 Apr from Miami FL of Robert P. Cooper, age 30, piloting a Z Class Hydroplane during a regatta on Biscayne Bay today (29 Apr). He was thrown from the hydroplane, his jugular vein was cut by its propeller as his wife and 1,000 spectators watched.

11 Aug 1952 "Merrick Keeps Speed Boat Title As Injury to Driver Mars Regatta" New York Times reports a 19 Aug story from Hudson NY in which an accident at the Regional and New York Championships for Stock Outboards and Hydroplanes resulted in a serious shoulder injury to Homer Conie Jr, age 22 of Memphis NY. His boat, "Let's Go", capsized in the Hudson and he was hit by the propeller of another boat. "The propeller struck his left shoulder, severing tendons and at least one artery." He was taken to Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson.

17 Aug 1953 "Girl Falls From Speedboat, Mangled by Propeller" Oakland Tribune (California) reports Boni Buehler, a 25 year old stewardess from Hollywood California, was on Lake Arrowhead yesterday in a speedboat owned by Conrad Hilton (of the hotels) that involved several well known people including Geary Steffen (ex husband of actress Jane Powell) and Quay Sargeant (owner of a Los Angles music concern). It happened just 50 yards from Buster Crabb's dock (the swimmer and actor) in the exclusive North Bay Section. She fell from the boat and was struck by its propeller. She was taken to Santa Anita Hospital with her left arm severed at the shoulder and her left leg mangled. Her left leg was amputated later that night. Her parents are in Scottsbluff Nebraska
The accident was heavily covered in the news, other reports indicate she was previously from Odgen Utah before her parents moved to Nebraska. By mid October she was headed back to Hollywood from her home and plans to work in the airline offices. She had earlier aspired to be an actress. She has also filed a lawsuit naming Conrad Hilton and forty others as defendants. She was to be fitted with an artificial arm about November 1st and an artificial leg about Christmas.
The case came to a conclusion in March 1956. She was awarded $265,000 in damages, including a hundred thousand from Geary Steffan, former ice skating partner of Sonja Henie. Mr. Steffan was earlier considered the hero for rescuing her, breathing air into her mouth, and sending her roses every day. When questioned earlier about why she included his name with others in the suit she had said that listing him was only a technicality as she had been asked to list everybody that might possible be involved.
At the time of the accident, Boni Buehler was rooming with Marjie Millar/Miller a "Glamorour Girl of the Silver Screen". Miss Millar spent much of September 1953 at Miss Buehler's side in the hospital. One of Miss Buehler's lawyers, Mr. Melvin Belli was a very prominent lawyer known as "King of the Torts". He introduced many concepts now frequentley used and is best known for defending Jack Ruby (shot Lee Harvey Oswald). He even had a major role in a Star Trek episode. Mr. Belli later published a book with a photo of Miss Buehler on the cover titled, Ready for the Plaintiff. Another of Miss Buehler's lawyers was a Senator. This accident perhaps had more ties to high profile people than any other before or since.

28 Aug 1953 "Boat Operator Pleads Innocent" The Holland Evening Sentinel (Michigan) reports a 22 year old man was swimming in Spring Lake when a 15 foot boat driven by a 19 year old girl hit him. His legs legs were stuck by the propeller "causing compound fractures in both legs and severe cuts of the tendons of the right heel." She took him to shore in a rowboat where he was given medical treatment by a Spring Lake physician, then taken by ambulance to Hackley Hospital in Muskegon. The young woman pleaded not guilty to charge of reckless use of a motor boat and the trial is set for next week.

4 Oct 1954 "Propeller Kills Man Overboard" The Washington Post reports a 3 Oct AP story from Annapolis MD of Dennis J. Wright falling from his 18 foot boat on Saturday and being struck by the propeller. It severed his jugular vein and he died. Mr. Wright was from Catonsville.

16 Dec 1954 "C.E. Hooper Killed: Radio Rating Head" New York Times reports a 15 Dec story from Salt Lake City UT in which Claude Ernest Hooper, age 56 of South Norwalk CT, well known for the Hooper method of radio surveys, was killed at Lake Front Duck Club on the Great Salt Lake. He and a companion were in an AIRBOAT that lodged on a sandbar. Mr. Hooper got out to push and was struck in the head by the propeller. He was taken to Latter Day Saints Hospital and died a few minutes after arrival. He started a business based on the idea of calling hundreds of people to see what radio shows they were listening to at that moment to measure the impact of specific radio stations on the advertising market vs prior methods of calling up people and asking them what they recalled hearing in the past. His business was later sold to A.C. Nielson (now does similar reporting on television).

10 Sep 1958 Daily Independence (Monessen PA) "River Victim is Reported Improved" reports Margaret Smith, a four year old girl from Charleroi, was floating on an inner tube in Monongahela River last Saturday (6 Sept). A 17 year old boat operator said he did not see her and she was struck by the propeller of his boat. The young girl is in Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh recovering from surgery for a "depressed skull fracture" and other injuries.

15 Sep 1958 Humbolt Standard (Eureka CA) "Boat Prop Cuts Off Boy's Arm' reports Herman Koelewyn, age 11 of Hanford, was water skiing on Lake Millerton late Friday 12 September. He jumped into the water to recover some water skis and was ran over by a motorboat (report is unclear if this was the boat he was in or not). His "left arm was severed above the elbow and he suffered several gashes in the abdomen when struck by the propeller of the boat..." He was taken to Fresno County General Hospital.

19 May 1959 Appleton Post Crescent (Wisconsin) "Woman Killed in Boat Collision" reports Ella Kalish, age 67 of Chicago, was boating on Eagle Lake Sunday 17 May. She was fishing with her daughter and grandson. A powerboat pushed the stern of her boat underwater. "She died of injuries suffered when struck by the propeller of a power boat". Her daughter and grandson were treated for shock.

30 July 1959 Fresno Bee Daily Republican (California) "Water Skier Run Over By Boat Dies of Injuries" reports Jack L. Wininger, age 29, was water skiing on Millerton Lake on July 12th. He fell and was struck by the propeller of a boat driven by an 18 year old male. "His leg was all but severed and he was cut on the chest and the abdomen." He lost his leg and later died in a local hospital this morning 30 July. He had previously recovered enough to use a wheel chair.

30 July 1959 Tri-City Herald (Tri-Cities WA) "Boat Prop Cuts Youth" reports Donald Pauley, age 17 of Sunnyside, was swimming in the Yakima River yesterday (29 July). He dove in from a boat dock and was struck by the propeller of a boat driven by a 17 year old male coming into the dock. Pauley was cut on his chin and arm. He was taken to Prosser Memorial Hospital by ambulance.

25 July 1960 "Boater Drowns on Lake Mead" Reno Evening Gazette reports Richard F. Meister, age 29 of Las Vegas, was alone on his 14 foot outboard boat Sunday on Lake Mead and apparently fell in at Callville Wash. Some other boaters saw his boat running in circles and he was trying to catch it as it passed. Some fishermen saw the boat apparently hit him, he slipped underwater and did not re-surface. Park Rangers recovered the body and said "it had been hit by the boat's propeller."

23 Oct 1960 Accident Date - Hick J. Cheramie, Jr. was injured by a boat propeller when they fell from a boat and were struck in the right arm by the motor's propeller. Per suit, Lyon K. Loomis M.D. v. The Travelers Insurance Company et al. No. 1620. Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Fourth Circuit. 169 So. 2d 544; 1964 La. App. LEXIS 2107. December 7, 1964

Commercial Vessel - 21 Oct 1963 "Champ Swimmer, Hit by Tug, Is on Critical List" reports a 20 Oct AP story of Jim Small, a former University of California swimming champion was hit 20 October in San Francisco Bay and lost his left leg.
A 24 Oct 1963 report in the Los Angeles Times indicates Mr. Small also lost his other leg and died on Wednesday at Letterman Army Hospital.

12 June 1964 Accident Date - a woman was learning to water ski on Blind River, about eight miles upstream of Lake Maurepas. She had fallen and the boat, operated by Mr. Swayze, circled to pick her up for another try. Mr. Roy was also skiing. The boat stopped to pick him up first. Mr. Roy thought the boat was stopped and he wanted to pull a cushion from the front of the boat for extra floatation as his ski belt was not providing enough floatation. He reached over the side into the front seat and started to kick off with his legs, but his right leg went under the boat and was severely cut by the outboard motor's propeller. The boat operator reports he thinks Mr. Roy was picked up first and chose to hang onto the side of the boat while the boat moved to the position of the woman learning to ski, as it got close to her, he pushed off and was injured. Per suit, Paul R. Roy v. William B. Swayze, Jr., et al. No. 6941. Court of Appeal of Louisiana, First Circuit. 194 So. 2d 109; 1966 La. App. LEXIS 4459. December 28, 1966

1967/1968 Accident Date - Sportingo "Ouch! The Top Ten Freak Sports Injuries" reports Fred Titmus, vice captain of England's Cricket team was in the West Indies during their 1967/1968 tour when his foot was caught in the propeller of a boat. "He lost four toes and for a time there was a doubt whether he would ever play again."

24 August 1968 Accident Date - J. Hall, a 13 year old girl from Petersburg Texas, "received serious cuts on her legs from a boat propeller while water skiing" on Sunday August 25th, 1968 on White River Lake per the "Back in Time" column in MyPlainview.com on 26 August 2008.

20 May 1969 "Boat Accident Fatal to Doctor" The Washington Post reports Dr. Sam Pascoe, fell from his boat, was struck by the propeller and drowned on Sunday. He was a 44 year old cardiologist from Falls Church VA.

17 June 1974 "Three Die in Water Mishaps" Modesto Bee (California) AP news reports Thomas Debrick, a 58 year old man from San Jose, was killed Saturday 15 June 1974 while swimming trying to help two teenage boys swimming in rough water. He was struck by the propeller of a houseboat in the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.

13 Aug 1974 Accident Date - John Henry Harris was with his daughter and some friends in a boat on Lake Bistineau. They were going about 15mph when an insect stung him on the face, he flinched, the outboard turned abruptly, his pedestal seat broke loose, he was thrown into the water and struck by the prop in the right knee, right shoulder and forearm. Per suit, John Henry Harris, et al v. W.O. Bardwell dba Bardwell Marina, et al. No. 13876. Court of Appeal of Louisiana, Second Circuit. 373 So. 2d 777; 1979 La. App. LEXIS 2840. June 29, 1979.

3 Sep 1974 "A Boating Day to Remember" New York Times reports on a 3 Sept 1974 accident at a picnic the day before school restarted near Jones Inlet Jetty. Their boat was in the area where the Bay meets the ocean. A big wave reared up the boat and ejected three boys that were kneeling in the stern. The boat righted itself and "went wild". All three boys were hit by the propeller. Brian Robbins of Merrick Long Island was injured the most severely. He was flown by Coast Guard helicopter to the hospital. Doctors spent five hours trying to save his arm, which eventually had to be amputated below the elbow. He has since had five operations and will eventually be fitted with an artificial limb.

1975 - Accident Year - 26 June 2008 Oakland Busines Review (MI) reports Roger McCarville of Ortonville, owner and host of Disabilities Today show on PBS reported he "fell off a boat and the propeller cut off my legs" thirty five years ago. Mr. Carville has just been appointed to represent the disabled on Michigan's Statewide Independent Living Council.

1975 - Accident Year - Todd Houston, then age 14, severely injured his legs when they were struck by a propeller. A few years later he lost one of them and went on to become a well known motivational speaker (see toddhouston.com).

July 1980 Accident Date - 10 Oct 2008 Edmonton Journal (Canada) "Woman Dedicated to Helping Those Who Suffer Serious Injuries" reports Kathy Belton was swimming with a friend on Laurier Lake near Elk Point in July 1980. Another friend, getting ready to pull some water skiers, drove by to splash them. The propeller cut her arm in half and a chip from her skull went into her brain. She was unconscious for two weeks in Edmonton Royal Alexandria Hospital. Today she is the associate director of the Alberta Centre for Injury Control and Research (part of the University of Alberta's School of Public Health) where she helps others with serious injuries, and helps prevent serious injuries.

8 Feb 1983 "Man Files Suit for $250,000 in Boating Accident" The Capitol (Annapolis MD) reports Joseph R. Cuppy III of Capitol Heights was a guest on a houseboat back on 4 July 1982. The houseboat operator was backing the houseboat into the slip of another boat at Pier 7 Marina on South River when the boat that slip belonged to was also manuvering into the slip, Mr. Cuppy went overboard and was struck the propeller. He fell over at the back of the boat and is suing in Circuit Court saying the houseboat did not have a safety chain across the back.

25 March 1983 "Gruesome Tale of Horror May Eventually Save Lives" Miami Herald (FL) reports Outboard bass boats equipped with stick steering that was too sensitive have killed so many people most manufacturers dropped it by 1979. It has been banned from tournaments ran by BASS and the U.S. Coast Guard reports injuries continue to happen as boats are passed on to second and third owners. Errol Egner and his brother were at North Miami Beach earlier this month and borrowed their dad's boat to fish in the Everglades. The 15 foot Terry built in 1977 powered by a 50 HP Johnson outboard had been purchased from a neighbor last year. The "stick steer" boat was developed for bass fishing in narrow trails, canals and marshes. About 4:30 pm driving back to Sawgrass at about 35 mph, Errol swerved to miss an alligator, the boat did a big loop and Errol was thrown into the water face up and he was struck by the propeller. "When the boat came around in a circle, and that's when the prop literally chopped his face off." The stainless steel prop cut off his nose and jaw and made deep lacerations in his throat and chest. His brother dove and rescued him, found him not breathing and attempted to administer artificial respiration, but "with the big hole where his nose and jaw used to be, whenever I tried to give him artificial respiration, the air just bubbled out somewhere else." He was finally able to get him breathing, they were about 9 miles in and he was bleeding from "a nicked jugular vein." His brother tried to hold the vein shut with one hand and drive with the other. Errol lived and is now recovering at Bennett Community Hospital in Broward County. His brother reports "medical bills are already astronomical." Starcraft boats now owns Terry and has since greatly improved the stick system, but sales are slow due to the historical reputation of the system. The article includes a considerable discussion of the stick system and other accidents.

11 June 1984 "Lawyer Dies When Struck by Boat While Snorkeling" Miami Herald (FL) reports Eduardo Posada, age 33 of Coral Gables, was about 300 feet offshore in the Coral Gables Waterway. He was hit by a 19 foot boat named the Rabalo. The boat operator said he saw one diver, swerved to miss him and hit Posada. He came back, picked him up and took him to the marina where he was pronounced dead of a propeller impact. The accident occurred about 4:45 pm Sunday 10 June.

15 April 1985 "Idea from Movie Saves Girl's Life" The Globe and Mail (UK on a US accident) reports from Oroville California, an eight year old girl became caught in a houseboat propeller on Lake Oroville. He father recalled seeing someone carry lungs full of air to someone underwater in the movie, Sometimes a Great Nation. He used that technique to keep his daughter alive till he could free her from the propeller. She was taken to Oroville Hospital and was laughing and joking with nurses after surgery on her broken arm.

29 May 1985 Sacramento Bee (Calif) "Two Charged in Lake Shasta Boating Deaths" reports Thomas Morrish, 22 of Calgary Alberta Canada and Lauri Chiarette, 22 of Fullerton California, were being towed on a water sled behind a 1985 inboard boat on May 25th, they fell, the boat circled to pick them up, and they were ran over by the boat. An autopsy showed Morrish died of a skull fracture and brain laceration. Officials said it had not yet been determined if it was from metal stabilizing fins on the hull or from the prop. Chiaretta's body is still being searched for. The inflatable sled was about two feet wide and 15 feet long. They were both part of a Oregon State University students that rented 7 houseboats. Two men in the ski boat that stuck them have been charged.

10 June 1985 "Water Skier Suffers Propeller Injuries" Boston Globe reports from Jefferson Maine that John Murray, 18 of Waldaboro, suffered leg and head injuries in a boat propeller accident while skiing in windy conditions on Damariscotta Lake. Four persons in the boat towing him, including the boat operator fell into the water. He was in guarded condition at an Augusta hospital yesterday.

6 July 1987 "Spectator at Fireworks Killed in Fall Into River" New York Times reports Ira Kestenbaum, 37 year old male from Ossing NY, was watching the Manhattan fireworks display Saturday night July 4th from a friends 28 foot boat with about 11 people on board in the East River. He was sitting in the bow when the boat hit a wave shortly after the fireworks display, fell overboard, "and his left arm was severed by a boat's propeller." (report does not specify if it was the propeller of the boat he was in or not). Several other boats nearby tried to help him, including a doctor on one of them. Mr. Kestenbaum was taken to New York Hospital where he died.

7 Sep 1987 "Props Are a Deadly Problem" Orlando Sentinel (FL) reports Theresa Hill, 15, fell from a boat August 29th, was struck in the head by its propeller, and died August 30th. at Orlando Regional Medical Center. The accident happened shortly after two doctors (Dr. Charles Price and Dr. Charles Moorefield) published an article in the Florida Journal of Medicine after polling about half the members of the Florida Orthopedic Society. The approximately 200 members polled only represent a small fraction of the state's over 20,000 physicians, but they reported treating 195 propeller injuries between 1979 to 1983. During the same period, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 30 cases. It goes on to report several other recent propeller injuries in Central Florida:

• Boat hit a river piling, threw out eight passengers, started circling on its own and killed two people with its propeller
• Teenage girl received severe propeller cuts to here knee, calf, and heel when she fell from the rear of a boat.
• Ski boat struck a woman in a canoe killing her with its propeller
• Police boat hit a snorkeler killing him with the propeller

The article also mentions an accident 10 years earlier in which J. Lindsay Builder Jr., a Winter Park Lawyer, then 31 and his daughter were riding in an inner tube pulled by his wife when they were struck by another boat. The propeller "severed Builder's left arm, sliced deep gashes in his side, punctured his lung and broke several ribs.

29 May 1988 per Ard V. Brunswick and Glasstron court case, on this date Robert Leroy Ard was preparing to waterski ski when a motorboat backed over him on Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri.

Approximately 1988 - 11 May 2008 Tampabay.com "Toney Hall Overcame Severe Hand Injuries to Relearn Guitar" reports an update on a local guitar player and singer. 20 years ago (about 1988) he was water skiing in Virginia on Claytor Lake with some friends. The boat "lurched", he fell in, and was struck by the propeller. Both his hands were very severely injured. He later had two surgeries on his right hand and thirteen on his left. He lost his left thumb and much of the feeling and strength of his left hand. Doctors suggested he give up the guitar. He switched from playing right handed to playing left handed and created a special pick and brace. Toney played 375 gigs in 2007.

COMMERCIAL VESSEL - TERRORISM 12 July 1988 Washington Post "Nine Killed, Scores Hurt in Attack on Greek Ferry" reports three masked men opened fire from onboard a crowed Greek island ferry, the 200 foot City of Poros, about 8:30pm today. City of Poros was carrying passengers from the island of Aegina to a marina in Paleo Faliron, a suburb of Athens. Nine passengers are dead and as many as seventy are unaccounted for. During the chaos of submachine gun fire, and grenades, some of the 500 passengers on board jumped into the water. Police said, "Some of them were dismembered by the ship's propeller" Those responsible for the shooting were picked up by a speedboat that pulled up alongside. Later, an explosion of a rental car near where the ferry was to dock was thought to have killed two people involved in the attack. The explosion was thought to have been a botched attempt to blow up the car when the passengers disembarked, but instead it blew up the two men.

COMMERCIAL VESSEL 20 Aug 1989 accident - 22 March 1995 The Independent (London England) "Survivor Left Crippled by Police Rescue Boat" reports an update on a 1989 accident called the Marchioness disaster. J. Jackie, a 62 year old woman, was employed on the boat as a tarot card reader. The Marchioness, a passenger launch, was hit by a dredger, the Bowbelle, in the Thames River. The Marchioness sank, and 51 lives were lost. A full report on the collission between the two vessels is online. At least one person was injured by propellers during rescue efforts. J. Jackie was trapped by a table lying on her clothes. She was hit on the head by people swimming over her. She eventually escaped through a hole in the Marionchess. She saw a police launch coming, the boat hit her in the face. "I rolled under the boat and my leg got chopped up in the propeller." She told police they probably hit others as well.

4 Sept 1989 "Calling Out the Guard // Injuries Prompt Drive for Protective Cages on Boat Propellers" St. Peterburg Times Floridian section reports B. Yesh was injured by a propeller in June. He was thrown from the boat in a turn, the boat circled at full throttle, he tried to dive, but "the blades nearly severed Yesh's fourth and fifth right toes and left gashes from his knee to his upper thigh." He has since had six operations and expects to be disabled for two years. The article appears to be one of several in this time frame by the Institute for Injury Reduction. It goes on to discuss serveral other accidents and industry responses.

11 Sept 1989 "Tragedy Brings Plea for Safer Boats: Woman Killed by Propeller Will be Buried Tuesday With Her Premature Baby" Orlando Sentinel (FL) reports Laura Hepler, 23 of Kissimmee, fell from her brother in laws 16 foot boat on Lake Topopekaliga on Labor Day (Sept 4th). She was trying to catch her visor (cap), fell overboard and under the boat, striking her head on the propeller. Six months pregnant, doctor's delivered 1 pound 10 ounce Shawna Kathlan Hepler by Caesarean section before operating on her mother. The baby died 16 hours later. The mother, losing a 4 inch diameter piece of her skull, died Sunday 10 Sept. This article also references one of the Institute of Injury Reduction press releases coming out the week of the accident (IIR was formed by a group of interested parties 18 months earlier to encourage the boating industry to install propeller protective devices.)

28 Sept 1989 "Grisly Accidents Spark Campaign for Guards on Boat Propellers" Orlando Sentinel (FL) reports how the Institute for Injury Reduction will be encouraging the Coast Guard to require propeller guards at a November 7th advisory panel in Orlando. Some accidents of specific note are the:

• Recent death of Laura Kathleen Hepler and her premature daughter (see 11 Sept news item above)
• Lawyer Linda Barnby of Orlando had a leg amputated several years ago after a severe propeller cut while waterskiing
• A 1982 accident involving then 14 year old Ashley Elliot of Sheffield AL after she jumped into a lake as part of a high school social club initiation. She was permanently disfigured

It reports an Alabama jury recently awarded Ashley Elliot $4.5 million in damages from Mercury Marine, but the case is on appeal. To appeal to those insisting guards created even greater hazards to swimmers in the water, Ben Hogan, lawyer supporting the Elliot family, hired a stuntman to be hit by a boat with a propeller guard. Dick Snyder of Mercury Marine (long time voice against use of prop guards), said the stuntman test was inconclusive, plus trying to limit boat owners to slower speeds is unrealistic.

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