Prop-injured mate 'unlucky'

Waimarama boatie Bruce Strachan (left) and Dennis Beets assist Haumoana man Cliff Jenkins in walking to the Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter, after a boat propeller sliced his groin at Waimarama Beach on Sunday. Photo / Supplied

A Waimarama boatie says his fishing mate was "dead unlucky" when a boat propeller sliced his groin at the weekend.

Bruce Strachan said he regularly went fishing with his friend, Haumoana Pan Pac worker Cliff Jenkins.

However, plans for a day on the water on Sunday were shattered when Mr Jenkins' groin and knee were sliced by the propeller on Mr Strachan's boat as they prepared to launch it at Waimarama Beach.

Taradale receptionist Kate Cushing and Hastings retiree Margaret Broad stemmed the strong flow of blood from Mr Jenkins' injuries before emergency services arrived. The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter flew Mr Jenkins to Hawke's Bay Hospital, where he was in a serious but stable condition on Sunday night. A hospital spokeswoman said yesterday Mr Jenkins' condition had been downgraded to stable.

Mr Strachan said he was parking the boat's trailer while Mr Jenkins held the boat in the water when the incident happened.

"I never actually saw it happen. I'd parked the trailer, I was just ambling back to the boat and there were two people there, and I thought someone had come to help out. Then Cliff said 'oh, ****, I need an ambulance'."

Mr Strachan said a wave hit the boat and pushed Mr Jenkins over. The boat rose with the wave and as it came down the propeller, hit Mr Jenkins' leg.

"The motor wasn't going - it was tilted up as far as it could go ... there's always an element of risk launching your boat out there. He was dead unlucky."

He said he felt nervous when he took the boat out on Sunday evening to check some cray pots.

"I didn't feel very well that day. I felt pretty stink as you can imagine."

His friend appeared to be recovering well in hospital yesterday.

"He's all right now. He got up and walked a few paces ... He's been giving the nurses some cheek."