Man's legs mangled in boating mishap

INCLINE VILLAGE - Quick response from friends and emergency personnel on Thursday helped save the life of a Sacramento man whose lower body was mangled by a propeller after he fell from the back of a boat off the shores here.

On Saturday, Daniel Stir, 30, remained in critical condition in the intensive care unit of Washoe Medical Center in Reno.

Washoe County Sheriff's Department officials said Sgt. Mary Kelly and Deputy Joe Fretz responded at 7:45 p.m. to a 911 call of a boating accident near the Hyatt pier.

At the scene they encountered Stir lying on the pier with severely lacerated legs. Stir had been boating all day with five other friends on a 20-foot Cobalt.

Boaters told deputies the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. While preparing to return to shore after drifting some 2 1/2 miles off shore, Stir fell from the back of the craft. One of the boaters said he thought Stir was "joking" when he told his friends he'd hurt his legs.

Pulling Stir from the water revealed deep cuts on both legs and exposed bone. The boaters said tourniquets were applied to the man's legs and a 911 call was placed.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Nevada Division of Wildlife.

Sheriff's officials said no arrests or citations had been made.