[bloodrayne]

Man Caught In Ski Boat Propeller Killed

San Francisco, California -- A 52-year-old man was killed after getting stuck in the propeller of a ski boat Sunday afternoon on Lake Sonoma, according to authorities.

"It was pretty gruesome,'' said Lt. Greg Contos of the Sonoma County Sheriff's office.

Contos said the man, who was a passenger on the boat, was sitting on the back of the boat near its propellers when he either fell or jumped off as it was backing up. Deputies have conducted interviews with several other passengers on the boat, who were spending the afternoon waterskiing together. Contos said the investigation is continuing.

Authorities arrested Will Dawson, who was driving the boat, for boating under the influence of alcohol. Dawson, 25, is a resident of Petaluma.

Contos said another boater flagged down a sheriff's patrol boat on the lake around 3:45 p.m. Sunday. When the patrol boat arrived at the boat, the victim was wedged underneath the propeller and already dead. The patrol boat then called additional help from the Sheriff's Helicopter and the Army Corps of Engineers marine unit.

The victim's identity is not being released until his next of kin has been notified.