A swimmer’s arm was severely cut in a boating accident Friday, July 4, on Lake Lou Yaeger in Litchfield.
According to Illinois Department of Natural Resources Public Information Officer Chris Young, Toby Elliott, age 35, of Bunker Hill was operating a boat and leaving the swimming area in Rainmaker Cove. As he was backing away from a group of boats, a swimmer came out from between two boats. Elliott did not see the swimmer until he was right next to him and instead of putting the boat in neutral, he throttled forward in an attempt to get past him. As a result, the swimmer, Nathan Grant, age 35, of Glen Carbon, was pulled under the boat and his left arm was severely cut near the elbow. Grant’s left arm was nearly severed and he was flown to Memorial Hospital in Springfield.
Elliott was cited for alleged careless operation of a boat and having no emergency cut-off lanyard. Alcohol was not a factor in the accident.
