Waldport man killed by boat he was operating
WALDPORT, Ore. (AP) — The Lincoln County sheriff's office says a 69-year-old Waldport, Ore., man died after he was ejected from an inflatable boat in Alsea Bay and then struck by the propeller as the boat circled back under its own power and hit him.
Deputy Bruce McGuire identified the man killed Friday as John Vanderbeek.
The deputy says the man was test driving the 25-foot boat, which he had recently repaired.
Witnesses say the boat struck its own wake and ejected Vanderbeek, then circled around and struck him.
The sheriff's office says the man was not wearing a life jacket. Deputies found that the boat was not equipped with an engine shutoff tether.
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Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.
