Man killed by his own boat propeller after being thrown into water, authorities say

JEFF DAVIS PARISH, La. (KPLC/Gray News) – A man in Louisiana was killed in a freak accident with his boat’s propeller after he was thrown from the boat Sunday evening, officials said.

Danny Harrison, 71, was driving a 16-foot boat on the Calcasieu River, according to Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries spokesperson Adam Einck.

Harrison’s boat hit an object, throwing him into the water.

The unmanned boat drove in circles, and the propeller hit Harrison, killing him, Einck said.

Harrison was wearing a life jacket, but investigators do not believe he was wearing a kill switch lanyard, which is designed to shut off a boat’s engine if the operator is thrown from it.

Kill switch lanyards are required for boats under 26 feet with hand tiller outboard motors over 10 horsepower.

Harrison’s boat met those requirements. Officials said his 16-foot boat had a 40-horsepower hand tiller outboard motor.

The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division continues to investigate.

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