Belton Lake Boating Accident Leads to Man Losing Legs While Trying to Save Daughter
Temple police are investigating a boating accident that led to a 4-year-old girl becoming trapped in a propeller and her father losing both legs while trying to save her.
Officers responded to Temple Lake Park at 6:47 PM Friday. There, they discovered that the driver of a recreational house boat had run over a 37-year-old man and his daughter. After the young girl became caught in the vessel's propeller, the man attempted to rescue her and sustained severe injuries that resulted in the amputation of both his legs.
The young girl sustained multiple lacerations.
Father and daughter were transported to Baylor Scott and White Hospital in serious condition.
Temple PD's Special Investigations Squad is working to determine the cause of the accident. As of Friday evening, it was unclear if charges would be filed against the driver of the boat.
Rick Smith with Marine Outlet told KTEM-AM that the boat was a 50-foot Gibson registered to a Killeen resident. Smith was assisting with the recovery of the boat Saturday morning.