Man's Legs Cut By Boat Propeller

MATTITUCK, NY — A man, 57, was injured in a boating incident in Mattituck Tuesday, officials said.

According to Mattituck Fire Department officials at the scene, the incident took place at 2:40 p.m.; a man was airlifted after both his legs were cut by a boat propeller in the Great Peconic Bay.

Southold Town Police Chief Martin Flatley said the man jumped overboard in the bay in Mattituck and was too close to the props; he "was struck in both legs by the motors. The cuts were severe, but non-life threatening," he said.

According to Southold Town Police, the man suffered injuries to his lower extremities after he was struck by the propeller of a boat that he had rented for the day. The man had entered into the water to take a turn on the tube and failed to realize that the boat had been left in forward gear, subsequently causing his legs to make contact with the propeller, police said.

Southold Town Police, along with the assistance of Southampton Town Police, were able to locate the vessel in question and provided aide, authorities said.

The man was transported to Strong's Marina, where Mattituck Fire Department EMS personnel were onhand; he was then transferred to Mattituck High School, where he was airlifted to Stony Brook University Hospital by the Suffolk County Police aviation, police said.