Man cited in boat incident that injured boy at Lake McConaughy

A 40-year-old Thornton, Colorado, man has been cited after a boating incident Sept. 7 at Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area left a 9-year-old boy severely injured.

The boy, from Northglenn, Colorado, was wading in the water near the Sandy Beach area shore when he was struck by a pontoon boat’s propeller at about 1 p.m. Mountain time. He was flown to Anschutz Children’s Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, with severe injuries.

The man driving the boat was arrested and cited for boating under the influence of alcohol, reckless operation of a motorboat, and violating safety regulations of the Nebraska State Boat Act.

Nebraska Game and Parks conservation officers continue to investigate the incident.

Keith County Sheriff’s Office assisted at the scene.