A CORK MAN lost an arm after being thrown from his boat in an accident in June last year, a report has said.

Owen Corkery was in his motor boat, in Cork Harbour when he went overboard, the report from the Marine Casualty Investigation Board said. The boat’s engine did not cut out because the kill cord, which is usually attached to the driver of a boat, was not working  and so Corkery was not wearing it.

It is believed that the boat swung around and struck him several times as he sustained injuries to his forehead, the back of his head, his back and he lost his left arm just above the elbow.

Witnesses noticed that the boat was driving in circles and had no one in it and called emergency services. Corkery was removed from the water, incoherent, bleeding heavily and calling the name ‘Pat’. It was thought at the time that he may not have been alone in the boat but it was later confirmed that he had been the only person on board.

No other damage to the boat was found other than the non-functional kill cord and it is thought that the man was thrown from the vessel while making a left hand turn.

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