Boating accident - chilly reminder to be safe

[Topsail Angler]

Man loses leg in boating accident
Officials warn against riding in bow
By Ken Little
Staff Writer -Star News
ken.little@starnewsonline.com



A Wilmington man who lost his leg in a boating accident near Wrightsville Beach is fortunate to be alive, authorities said Thursday.

Coast Guard officials said Bryan Todd, 40, of Mendenhall Drive, was on the bow of his 23-foot boat about 7:45 p.m. Wednesday in Banks Channel when he fell overboard as the moving vessel hit a wake from another boat.

A friend steering Todd's boat could not reverse course. Todd passed under the vessel and was struck by the propeller. His right leg was severed at the knee and he suffered facial lacerations that required 58 stitches, Coast Guard Boatswainsmate 2nd Class Travis Dobbins said.

Todd was listed in good condition Thursday night at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. His leg, lost in about 30 feet of water, was not recovered.

Friends told investigating N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission Officer Fred Gorchess that Todd was stowing a dive ladder and anchor rope in a compartment near the bow light at the time of the accident.

Gorchess said Todd should not have been on the bow of a vessel that was under way but did not issue a citation for reckless and negligent operation.

"We advise them not to do that and if the boat is in motion, they need to stay seated," Gorchess said. "The Coast Guard and North Carolina Wildlife does not recommend bow riding."

For the remainder of the article, see the Wilmington Star News article