Ky. Crew Saves Woman From Boating Mishap

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June 03--A Louisville woman was flown by helicopter to a Lexington hospital Thursday after she was thrown from a boat on Herrington Lake and was then cut by the boat's propeller, said a spokesman for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources.

Margaret Morgan, 59, was taken to University of Kentucky Chandler Hospital, where she was treated for multiple cuts, said Mark Marraccini, the Fish and Wildlife spokesman. Morgan was listed in fair condition Friday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

The accident happened before 3 p.m. Thursday near Old Bridge Golf Course in eastern Boyle County, said Lt. Jim Harris, spokesman for the Boyle County Fire Department. Morgan was a passenger in a 14-foot rented johnboat that was operated by Dave Wiseman, 50, of Louisville, Marraccini said.

The boaters had been distracted by something when the boat hit a tree stump, Marraccini said. Both Wiseman and Morgan were thrown into the water.

The boat began circling and the propeller apparently struck Morgan, cutting her in several places, Marraccini said. Morgan suffered cuts to her right thigh, left upper arm and left cheek on her face, Harris said.

Wiseman was able to pull Morgan to a private boat dock, where some nearby fishermen gave assistance. A helicopter landed at the Boyle County Fire Station No. 7 on Ky. 34 near the golf course to fly Morgan to the hospital, Harris said.

The circling rental boat finally hit the Garrard shore, causing its engine to slow. Boyle firefighters were able to pull another boat alongside it and regain control of it to tow it back to a dock for a marina to retrieve, Harris said.

Damon Foster, conservation officer for the state Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, took the report on the accident.