Swimmer’s foot severed in Florida boat accident

A swimmer lost his left foot after being struck by a charter boat off North Naples, Fl late last month.

Rosario Pucciarelli, 69, of Bonita Springs was off Vanderbilt Beach when the boat operated by Brandon Ruganis, 31, of Naples, hit him just before 11 a.m.

He was placed on a parasail and taken ashore, where he was tended by firefighters from North Naples Fire and Rescue.

Pucciarlli was taken to North Collier Hospital then transported to Lee Memorial Hospital by helicopter.

Divers were deployed to find the missing foot. Their efforts came up empty for awhile before it was recovered. However, emergency workers were unable to reattach it.

According to a Fire and Rescue spokesman, Ruganis was believed to be moving the boat into an area with swimmers when the accident took place while he was returning to shore to pick up passengers.

Reports said he had not been charged. His charter company is Safiri Sailing Cruises.

Source: News Press