14 August 2023 , 05:32
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A three-year-old boy has died after he was struck by a propeller at a Utah reservoir on Sunday afternoon.
Walter Greer, of Salt Lake City, had been riding in a boat with his family when he fell off and was struck by the boat's propeller.
Officials said the toddler was pronounced dead at the scene, and confirmed he was wearing a lifejacket.
In a statement, Utah State Parks Division said: "Walter Greer, a three-year-old from Salt Lake City, was riding a boat with family members when he fell from the vessel. After falling in, Greer was then struck by the propeller at the rear of the boat.
Officials said he fell from a boat and was struck by a propeller (Gabe Misla, KUTV)"Utah State Parks law enforcement rangers responded to the area and recovered Greer from the water, but he had already passed away. He was wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident.
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"Along with Utah State Parks, responding agencies include Utah State Bureau of Investigation, Summit County Sheriff’s Office, Utah Highway Patrol, North Summit Flyer District, University of Utah Health AirMed, and Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation.
"This incident remains under investigation at this time.
"The Utah Division of State Parks extends our condolences to the family and to all those grieving at this difficult time."
Last week, a six-year-old girl died after her leg was severed by the propeller of a boat driven by mum.
Sunni Wasden died following the incident in Lake Pleasant, Arizona, on Friday and she was rushed to hospital after she was pulled from the water at around 11am and later pronounced dead.
The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office called the incident "tragic".
A total of 12 people from two families were wakeboarding and swimming by the boat from early that day.
Mum Camille was piloting the boat (Instagram)Sgt Joaquin Enriquez said: "He and the mother quickly realised their daughter was in the water and had suffered a leg amputation from the boat's propeller.
"Witnesses at the scene confirmed that the child's mother was operating the boat when she began to drive and, unbeknownst to the family, the child had somehow entered the water.
"There is no impairment investigation at this time. We have investigators that went and check for signs; though it is an ongoing investigation we don't see any signs of impairment as of right now."
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