Diver injured by boat propellor

A man struck by a boat propellor while diving in the Marlborough Sounds today was flown to Wellington Hosopital for treatment on a serious leg injury.

The Wellington-based Westpac rescue helicopter, with a Wellington Free Ambulance paramedic on board, responded to Ships Cove in Endeavour Inlet just after 3pm.

"As we understand it, the man was coming to the surface when his catch bag caught on the moving propeller, dragging him into it," said Westpac rescue helicopter crewman Dave Greenberg.

"The boat's skipper immediately put the boat into neutral but the mans leg was struck, causing a deep wound."

The 58-year-old Palmerston North man had been on board the boat in the Sounds. When the accident happened others on board called for help via their marine radio and headed for Ships Cove where they could dock and the helicopter could land nearby.

The man was treated by the paramedic and then taken to Wellington Hospital for treatment.

- NZPA