Woman Suffers Severe Cuts After Being Struck by Propeller in Boating Accident in CT River

A Bethany woman suffered severe cuts to her lower extremities after being struck by a power boat propeller while trying to swim in the Connecticut River Sunday night in Haddam, according to the New Haven Register.

The Hartford Courant reports Stephanie Ryan, 23, of Bethany, was taken to Hartford Hospital where she was listed in stable condition.

Ryan and Ronald Borruso Jr., of Hamden, both had jumped off the boat to swim and were struck by the propeller around 6 p.m. when another person on the boat started the engine and tried to move it closer to the two swimmers, according to the Courant.

Borruso suffered minor injuries and declined medical treatment at the scene.

The Register reports Joseph Borruso, 22, of Woodbridge, was arrested by the state’s Environmental Conservation police and charged with first-degree reckless operation of a vessel while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs.

Read more at the New Haven Register here and the Hartford Courant here.