6-year-old boy killed by boat propeller in Table Rock Lake

TANEY COUNTY - A 6-year-old boy was left dead after he was struck by a boat propeller in Table Rock Lake near Branson on Friday.

The incident occurred a little after 11 a.m. Friday morning on Table Rock Lake in Clevenger Cove, involving a 1999 Maxum Open Motorboat travelling northbound.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol (MSHP) reports that the 6-year-old child from Carthage, Mo., was riding a kneeboard from behind the boat when the child suddenly fell off.

According to MSHP, the operator of the vessel attempted to return to the child by putting the boat in reverse.

As the child attempted to swim back towards the rear of the watercraft after he fell, the boat's propellers caught and struck the child while it was still in reverse.

A Taney County deputy declared the child dead around 11:09 a.m., MSHP reports. The child was wearing a lifejacket at the time of the incident.