Boy severely injured on Lake Sonoma

A 7-year-old San Francisco boy tubing with his family on Lake Sonoma on Saturday afternoon was injured when his legs were sliced by the boat's propeller, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff's Department.

The tow rope apparently became tangled in the prop, and as it turned, pulled the youngster into the propeller, authorities said.

The boy suffered severe cuts to both legs and was bleeding badly when deputies on patrol were flagged down by the family, including the boy's father, who was on the boat.

Sheriff's helicopter Henry 1 was called and paramedics treated the boy at the scene and took him to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital, where he underwent surgery.

The incident remains under investigation. Alcohol is not considered a factor.

- Kevin McCallum