By Sofia Santana
Sun-Sentinel
POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — A 22-year-old man’s arm was severed in a personal watercraft accident Saturday near the Hillsboro Inlet.
The man had been riding on an inner tube that was tied to the personal watercraft with a rope, which he had wrapped around his arm. A large wave apparently struck the watercraft and inner tube with such force that the rope tightened around the man’s arm and cut right through, authorities said.
The 22-year-old, whose name and hometown was not released Saturday, was conscious and alert after the accident, and was taken to North Broward Medical Center about 4 p.m., said Sandra King, Pompano Beach Fire-Rescue spokeswoman.
“It sounds like a freak accident,” she said.
Authorities, including a Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter, scanned the waters in and around the inlet for the man’s arm but could not find it, King said.
The limb was severed just below the man’s shoulder, she said.
The man and his brother, who was driving the watercraft, were on their way back to shore when the accident happened, King said.
A passing boater picked up the injured man and his brother and took them to the Hillsboro Inlet Marina. There, on the south side of the inlet, paramedics met them, King said.
The Broward Sheriff’s Office is investigating the accident.