Boat propeller injury kills man wakeboarding in Columbia River

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Authorities are investigating the death of a 72-year-old man who was injured by a boat propeller in the Columbia River over the weekend.

Witnesses called 911 around 11 a.m. on Saturday to report the man had been wakeboarding near Government Island when his tow rope got wrapped in the propeller, causing the man to end up under the rear of the boat.

According to river patrol officers, the man “sustained a traumatic injury to his head” and was “under the boat, underwater, for an estimated five minutes before members of his party were able to get him out of the water.”

The man, who has not been publicly identified, was pronounced dead at the scene. A medical examiner will soon determine the exact cause of death.