Boat propeller victim may keep leg - brother

An Australian doctor whose legs were slashed by a boat's propeller when she climbed into the water to swim with the dolphins in the Marlborough Sounds may avoid amputation of the most injured leg, her brother says.

Dr Catherine Pye, known in her South Australian home town of Mt Gambier as an environmental activist, was seriously injured when she entered the water from a Dolphin Watch Ecotours boat last Friday.

Her brother, Alan Pye, said today that Wellington Hospital doctors initially feared one of her legs might have to be amputated, but after eight-hour surgery on Sunday, during which metal rods were inserted, her chances of keeping both legs improved.

"She suffered several deep gashes and bone fractures, including her ankle and femur, and they had to operate on the main arteries in her legs," he told the Border Watch newspaper in Mt Gambier.

"She is not doing well and is still in a lot of pain."

Dr Pye's husband Clive watched in horror as his wife lost huge amounts of blood, and helped boat crew staunch the flow.

"Clive knows what to do in an emergency situation and he did everything he possibly could to save her," Mr Pye said. "I am sure she would have been dead if it was not for him".

Doctors said Dr Pye's fitness contributed to her survival -- she promotes physical activity and environmental sustainability as secretary of a Community Action for Sustainability group, and is also a climber who has scaled the 8200 metre high Cho Oyu peak in the Himalayas.

Mr Pye said the accident should not have happened.

"Dolphin Watch Ecotours look so safe when you look at their website and apparently they followed all the rules," he said.

"They told her it was safe to get into the water, but obviously the propeller was still running".

Dolphin Watch Ecotours owner Glen McNeilly told the Marlborough Express that he had halted operations and arranged victim support for the two staff and six passengers on the boat at the time,.

Ms Carlyle and her husband had been in New Zealand for a family reunion to celebrate the 80th birthdays of an aunt and uncle.

Maritime New Zealand is conducting a formal investigation into the incident.

- NZPA