March 28, 2024
BANGOR DAILY NEWS (BANGOR, MAINE

Bangor man’s leg nearly severed in boat accident

ISLESBORO – A Bangor man had his leg partially severed by a boat propeller when he slipped overboard while trying to retrieve his son’s hat.

Michael Hinton, 45, had his left leg nearly severed at the knee in the freak accident, according to Waldo County Deputy Sheriff Merl Reed. The incident occurred on waters between Islesboro and Lincolnville Beach at approximately 4:45 p.m. Sunday.

Hinton, his teen-age son, Justin, and fiancee Robin Sprague were fishing with Christopher Sprague of Augusta when a puff of wind blew Justin’s hat overboard. Hinton fell into the water when he slipped from the transom while reaching down to grab the hat, said Reed.

Hinton was pulled aboard, the group rushed to the Maine State Ferry Terminal and an ambulance was summoned. The man was rushed to Penobscot Bay Medical Center in Rockport. Hinton’s lower leg was partially attached, Reed said.

“His boy was awful brave,” Reed said. “He was holding the ice bag to his dad’s leg and applying pressure until the ambulance came. The father just kept patting his son’s back.”

Because the incident happened at sea, the accident investigation was turned over to the U.S. Coast Guard.


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