Father-of-two loses leg after it was torn to shreds by boat propeller – as ‘drunk’ woman driver is arrested for backing over him

A father-of-two loses has lost his left leg after it was torn to shreds during a horror boating accident when a drunk’ woman driver backed over him on a North Texas lake.

Kyle Lively was enjoying a night out boating with his two young sons last Saturday night on Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, Texas when he was thrown off the back of the boat ‘unexpectedly’ into the water.

Officials from the Azle Fire Department said first responders were called around 8.45pm where they found a man struck by a boat propeller, NBC DFW reported.

The driver of the boat was identified as Kelly McCandless, who was arrested, and charged with ‘boating while intoxicated,’ according to Tarrant County jail records, People reported.

Lively’s thighs and knees were ripped apart by the rotating metal blades of the boat’s propellers but miraculously was able to get himself to the surface of the water using his arms and his will to live, his family said.

Three Good Samaritans got him to safety tied a tourniquet around his legs, and called 911. He was airlifted to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, a level one trauma center.

The driver of the boat was identified as Kelly McCandless, who was arrested, and charged with ‘boating while intoxicated,’ according to Tarrant County jail records, People reported

Since the incident, Lively has undergone numerous surgeries to save his leg, but due to the severity of his injuries, doctors gave him a grim prognosis. 

Lively’s right leg was also injured but was stable. 

On Saturday morning, he gave an update on his prognosis telling loved ones that he has decided to move forward and ‘amputate’ his left leg expressing how difficult it was to make the life-altering decision.

‘There is no saving it,’ he said. ‘ I lost 10 inches of femur bone as well as upper quadrant muscle,’ he said.

‘I’ve been thinking about it for a few days now,’ he said.

‘I’ve asked God to guide me this whole process.’

In the post, he expressed gratitude and said he was ‘completely overwhelmed with all the people that have reached out’ and all the ‘love’ that has been shown. 

‘It’s a lot to process and take in, but thank you for the positive energy and thoughts, he said. 

Lively’s boat called Liely Dream II 

Since the incident, Lively has undergone numerous surgeries to save his leg, but due to the severity of his injuries, doctors gave him a grim prognosis

Lively’s sister, Marie Lively told local news outlet NBC DFW what a selfless person her brother is and a devoted family man.

‘For those of you who know my brother Kyle, you know he is truly a great man. One of the best there is. A hard worker, a kind soul, a fun guy and above ALL a devoted father to his two boys,’ she said in a GoFundMe she created.

Lively shared the long recovery ahead and the mounting medical expenses, as her brother is small business owner with no health insurance. 

‘The doctors hope he will be able to walk again, and we know that he will,’ she said.  ‘We also know this is going to be a long recovery, an uphill battle and a huge financial struggle for Kyle and his family.’

‘I don’t know what it’s going to cost but I’m assuming $200,000 minimum,’ Marie said.

Lively’s sister, Marie Lively told local NBC DFW what a selfless person her brother is and a devoted family man

Lively pictured with his two sons last June while enjoying a day out boating 

‘Kyle owns his own elevator inspection company; however he obviously cannot work right now, which adds more financial strain and stress,’ she said.

‘So, we are humbly asking for your help. No donation is too big or too small and ALL money collected will go to Kyle’s medical bills and family,’ she said.

She outlined some of the preliminary expenses he will be facing include hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, mortgage, home bills and cost of living.

She grew emotional knowing that the near-fatal event could have had a different ending.

‘He’s going to be okay, and everything’s going to be okay no matter what happens,’ she sad. ‘Because he’s alive.’

As of Saturday the GoFundMe has raised more than $35,000 towards their goal of $50,000.