Injured boatie: I owe my life to them

Cliff Jenkins says he is thankful to the people who helped him after he severed an artery in his leg while launching a boat on Sunday. Photo / Glenn Taylor

Cliff Jenkins says he owes his life to the people who gave him first aid after a boat propeller sliced an artery in his leg at Waimarama Beach.

The Haumoana Pan Pac worker, 63, was preparing to head out for a day's fishing with his close mate Bruce Strachan, at the weekend when a freak accident nearly took his life.

"I had what you might call a bad day," Mr Jenkins said.

They were about to launch the boat on Sunday morning. Mr Strachan was parking the trailer while Mr Jenkins held the boat in the water.

"I was just spinning the boat around to bring it bow-on to the waves. It was high tide and this wave climbed across the reef. It picked the boat up and lifted me off my feet. I went underneath, the boat came down and 'chomp'."

The boat's propeller, which was turned off and tilted up at the time, came down on his leg. He received deep cuts to his upper high and knee.

"It also got me in the stomach but I've got plenty of padding there." The propeller missed his genitals, but "not by a hell of a lot ... It was three or four inches down my leg".

Taradale receptionist Kate Cushing and her partner, Eli Martin were walking on the beach and noticed Mr Jenkins was struggling. Mr Martin ran out to assist him.

As Mr Jenkins came out of the water, he saw blood gushing from his leg, where an artery had been cut. "I knew I was in severe trouble. The blood was just spurting out in massive amounts."

Ms Cushing, Hastings retiree Margaret Broad and Mr Martin stemmed the strong flow of blood from Mr Jenkins' injuries for about 30 minutes before members of the Waimarama Rural Fire Force took over.

The Lowe Corporation Rescue Helicopter flew Mr Jenkins to Hawke's Bay Hospital, where he was in a serious but stable condition on Sunday night.

Discharged from Hawke's Bay Hospital yesterday, Mr Jenkins was recovering at home. He was feeling "a bit sore," but was able to move around on crutches.

"I'm a fortunate fella, I really am. I might be buying a Lotto ticket."

Despite the accident, he said he was keen to get back out on the water as soon as the doctor gave him clearance.

"Bruce and I are very careful. You can get caught out - it just shows you. To be honest, I can't wait to get out fishing again."

He said his life was saved by Ms Cushing, Ms Broad, Mr Martin and the other people who gave him first aid at the scene, with whom he planned to have "a celebratory drink or two".

"I owe my life to them ... I was saved by excellent first aid. Without those people I was gone. It was impossible for one person to stem the flow.

"They all knew their first aid and they did it perfectly," Mr Jenkins said.

"It must have been traumatic for them, because it's not every day you see something like that.

"They're fine people at Waimarama."