Arkansas man injured in boating accident at Wappapello Lake

WAPPAPELLO LAKE, Mo. -- An Arkansas man is recovering in an area hospital after he fell from a pontoon boat on Wappapello Lake and was struck by its propeller about 12:45 p.m. Monday.

Eric Haller, 38, of Blythe­ville, Ark., was flown to Saint Francis Medical Center, where he was treated for serious injuries, according to Missouri State Water Patrolman David Nelson.

Haller suffered several lacerations on his left arm and down the left side of his body, as well as a broken rib and punctured lung, Nelson said.

The 24-foot pontoon, operated by Danny Seaton, 21, of Burdette, Ark., was heading toward Sundowner Marina, which owned the boat.

As the boat was crossing the lake at about 15 to 20 mph, Nelson said, Haller was sitting on the front of the pontoon, with his feet dangling in the water.

When Haller tried to stand up, he fell overboard in front of the boat and was struck by the propeller when the boat passed over him, Nelson said.

Missouri law prohibits anyone from riding on a boat's bow while it is underway and Seaton was cited for allowing a person to ride on the bow.