Kiwi Diver Injured by Boat Propeller

A Palmerston North man seriously injured his leg when he was struck by a boat propeller while surfacing from a dive in Queen Charlotte Sound yesterday.

The 58-year-old was taken to Wellington Hospital by the Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter about 3pm yesterday and required surgery.

He was in a stable condition this morning.

Rescue helicopter crewman Dave Greenberg said the helicopter met the boat at Ship Cove and a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic tended to the man's leg.

"As we understand it, the man was coming to the surface when his catch bag caught on the moving propeller, dragging him into it ... causing a deep wound to his leg.

"He was conscious and alert [in the helicopter]; he was in pretty good nick, apart from the really big gash on his leg," Mr Greenberg said.

Co-owner of Dive Picton Ben Ashworth said such incidents were rare.

"It's definitely not one of the more common things to happen as far as diving incidents go.

"Our thoughts go out to any diver who hurts himself, especially in our own backyard. We just hope he's all right – a propeller would be pretty unforgiving."

source: Marlborough Express

Isn't that the reason they always say make sure the boat is not in gear when divers are in the water near the boat?

I can't understand how something like this can happen!

Totally unacceptable! But then again, divers should not take for granted their own safety. As the saying goes, "Safety begins with me"

True, but you can't control a boat from the water, that should be the captain's job!