Girl cut by propeller after falling from boat on Lake Lanier

[inthetundra]

It seems like a few people couldn't stay in the boat this weekend. I wonder if this was an open bow or was she foolish enough to be on the deck of a cuddy?


LAKE LANIER, Ga. - A teenager was rushed to the hospital after being pulled under a boat and getting cut by the propeller while on Lake Lanier Saturday afternoon.

A spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources tells FOX 5 News that a 17-year-old girl was sitting on the front of a boat that was towing a person on an inflatable tube. The pilot of the boat stopped after the person fell off. The boat then hit a wave causing the girl to fall from the boat into the water and eventually went under the boat.

Officials say she was cut several times from her shoulder to her hamstring by the boat's propeller. She was alert and stable when she was transported to Gwinnett Medical Center. She is expected to make a full recovery.

DNR rangers say the boat she was riding on did not have a front retainer. That violation is considered a misdemeanor.

The names of the girl and the pilot have not yet been released. Charges are pending.

[Too Stroked]

First of all, glad she's OK. Second, what the hell is a "front retainer?"

[CrownHawg]

Railing?

[low_psi]

I often, way to often, see people doing stupid things that could easily end up like this or even worse. I see people riding on the front of a closed bow boat at speed. People tubing and skiing in busy shipping channels, transom riding, etc. I hate to sound like this, but there needs to be some laws in place that force people into a class before operating a watercraft. I realize you can't fix stupid, since some of these things don't come as common sense to some, maybe with some training you can bring it to their attention. I hope this girl recovers well, for a 17 year old girl, the scars from this accident will impact her through out her younger years.......

[Baja_342]

First of all, glad she's OK. Second, what the hell is a "front retainer?"

Probably sitting out on the bow of a pontoon while underway. Gate open.

[AB From Windsor]

I remember a guy I knew was boating with his brother and he was sitting on the bow of the boat and fell off, he lost his leg. I have always remember that and no one will ever sit on the front of my boat no matter how slow I'm going or how calm it is, its a big no no. I hope that, that girl isn't left with to many scares and makes a full recovery, mentally and physically.

[windship]

I agree with all. There was also another 44 year old man drowned still not found, who dove off a sailboat at 12:30 AM and never resurfaced. The media will surely point to "some speeding boat" as the cause. Anytime we have the mere numbers of people on any body of water, there is bound to be an accident from non regulars to the water. "Think before you act" works well with any activity, especially on the water.

[inthetundra]

The pilot stopped after the guy fell off the tube, then hit a wave and the girl fell in.....apparently he wasn't stopped or the boat would have been in neutral and he wouldn't have ran her over! Kind of hard to run someone over when you are stopped.

[87MagnumII]

I hate to sound like this, but there needs to be some laws in place that force people into a class before operating a watercraft. I realize you can't fix stupid, since some of these things don't come as common sense to some, maybe with some training you can bring it to their attention.

In West Virginia anybody born after December 31st of 1986 is required to take a boating and safety course that was setup by the DNR to legally operate a motor boat of any kind. There are also laws about age and horsepower restrictions. My sisters boy friend just took his test online and it took him about 3 hrs to complete. I've never seen the test because I was grandfathered in under the law being that I was born in 1983 but from what I understand it's pretty in depth.

[low_psi]

In West Virginia anybody born after December 31st of 1986 is required to take a boating and safety course that was setup by the DNR to legally operate a motor boat of any kind. There are also laws about age and horsepower restrictions. My sisters boy friend just took his test online and it took him about 3 hrs to complete. I've never seen the test because I was grandfathered in under the law being that I was born in 1983 but from what I understand it's pretty in depth.

Personally, I think all states need it, and toss the grandfather clause in the garbage. Even though I have many years experience, and have taken numerous coast guard boating safety courses, I would not complain if I had to do it again to stay legal. There are so many people operating boats, who don't even know how to tie a proper knot. And I am not saying that jokingly.... I watched a guy well in his 60s yesterday hit everything but my boat while pulling into the launch. I watched in amazement as he came in in a 16' boat... I rushed to get my boat out of the water, as I was worried he was going to hit my boat next. He walked by my boatmand said "you have a beautiful boat, This was my very first time on or driving a boat....". So it I safe to say, I bet he didn't know much about boating safety.......

A 3 hour online course isn't quite what I have in mind as a safety course.... Now if it is a 3hr test. Than that sounds pretty in depth. As soon as my 10 year old daughter is a little bit older, I will be enrolling her, along with myself and wife in a coast guard approved course.