Day on lake ends in boating disaster

John Crockett
Bonanza staff writer
July 17, 2005

Quick response from friends and local emergency personnel on Thursday helped
save the life of a Sacramento man whose lower body was ravaged by a
propeller after he fell from the back of a boat off the shores of Incline.

On Saturday, Daniel Stir, 30, remained in critical condition in the
intensive care unit of Washoe Medical Center in Reno.

Sheriff's Department officials said Sgt. Mary Kelly and Deputy Joe Fretz
responded at 7:45 p.m. to a 9-1-1 call of a boating accident near the Hyatt
pier.

At the scene they encountered Stir lying on the pier with severely lacerated
legs. Stir had been boating all day with five other friends on a 20-foot
Cobalt.

Boaters told deputies the incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. While preparing
to return to shore after drifting some two-and-a-half miles off shore, Stir
fell from the back of the craft. One of the boaters said he thought Stir was
"joking" when he told his friends he'd hurt his legs.

Pulling Stir from the water revealed deep cuts on both legs and exposed
bone. The boaters said tourniquets were applied to Stir's legs, a 9-1-1 call
was placed, and within 15 minutes Stir was on the shore and being prepped
for transfer.

The accident is currently under investigation by the Nevada Division of
Wildlife. Sheriff's officials said no arrests or citations were made.