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Scuba diver injured when struck by boat propeller

Friday 29 January 2010, 8:40AM

By Westpac Rescue Helicopter

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MARLBOROUGH

The Wellington-based Westpac Rescue Helicopter rescued a man struck by a boat propeller from the Marlborough Sounds late this afternoon.

The helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic onboard, responded to Ships Cove in Endeavour Inlet just after 3pm.

When the helicopter arrived at the scene they found a man who suffered a serious injury to his leg when he was struck by a propeller.

"As we understand it the man was coming to the surface when his catch bag caught on the moving propeller, dragging him into it" says Westpac Rescue Helicopter crewman Dave Greenberg. "The boats skipper immediately put the boat into neutral but the mans leg was struck causing a deep wound to his leg".

The 58 year old Palmerston North man was onboard the boat in the Marlborough Sounds. When the accident occurred people onboard the boat called for help via their marine radio and headed for Ships Cove where they could dock and the helicopter could land nearby.

The man was treated by the WFA paramedic and transported to Wellington Hospital where he is currently being treated in the Emergency Department.