This is the dramatic moment a young diver who lost his arm in a horrific boating accident is dragged ashore by paramedics.
Shocking photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show Carter Viss being hauled up the sand by firefighter EMTs in Palm Beach, Florida – his severed arm clearly visible.
On Thanksgiving Day last week, the 25-year-old marine biologist was snorkeling with a friend when he was hit by a 36-foot Yellowfin boat around noon.
The propeller of the vessel sliced into him severing his right arm, badly injuring both his legs and leaving him with a broken left wrist.
It’s understood a firefighter recovered his severed arm floating in the water near Palm Beach Island and brought it back to shore.
Diver Carter Viss, 25, was snorkeling offshore in Palm Beach, Florida when he was hit by a 36-foot Yellowfin boat on Thanksgiving Day last week. Shocking photos obtained exclusively by DailyMail.com show Viss being hauled up the sand – his severed arm clearly visible
His arm appeared to have a makeshift tourniquet on it to stem the bleeding, while a large wound could be seen on his left leg, with bandages on the other
It’s understood a firefighter recovered his severed arm floating in the water near Palm Beach Island and brought it back to shore. His left leg appears to be twisted, with it hanging at an unnatural angle
His mom and dad, Leila and Chuck Viss, flew in from Denver to be by their son’s bedside as he fought for his life. Over the weekend she shared a post on Facebook updating loved ones of her son’s current condition
DailyMail.com obtained photos of the grisly aftermath of the accident as firefighter EMTs from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue dragged the badly injured diver off a boat and on to a gurney on the sand.
His arm appeared to have a makeshift tourniquet on it to stem the bleeding, while a large open wound could be seen on his left leg, with bandages on the other.
Viss, who was conscious throughout the terrifying ordeal, sustained life threatening injuries and was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach.
His mother and father, Leila and Chuck Viss, flew in from Denver to be by their son’s bedside as he fought for his life.
Over the weekend she shared a post on Facebook updating loved ones of her son’s current condition.
‘It’s with heavy hearts that Chuck and I share the news that our son Carter was struck by a boat while diving just off the coast of West Palm Beach, Florida,’ she wrote.
She continued to say that Viss is in critical, yet stable condition and that all of his limbs suffered severe damage from the accident.
DailyMail.com obtained photos of the grisly aftermath of the accident as firefighter EMTs from Palm Beach County Fire Rescue dragged the badly injured diver off a boat and on to a gurney on the sand
Viss’ mother said the 25-year-old, who was kept in the ICU for three days, was finally able to communicate through head nods Monday. On Tuesday, his mother said his breathing tube was finally removed
Viss, who was conscious throughout the ordeal, sustained life threatening injuries and was transported to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach
His arm appeared to have a makeshift tourniquet on it to stem the bleeding, while a large open wound could be seen on his left leg, with bandages on the other
Leila said: ‘The enormous grief of our entire family is carried by the prayers and support of the community in Florida and Denver and around the world.’
She gave a special thanks to Loggerhead Marinelife Center, Viss’ place of employment, because, ‘they are the reason he is still with us today.’
Leila said Viss, who was kept in the ICU for three days, was finally able to communicate through head nods Monday.
On Tuesday, his mother said his breathing tube was finally removed and he could communicate to his family.
She wrote: ‘He thought it was Friday but he knew it was 2019. He also said, unprompted, ”I swam as fast as I could”.’
The day before, Leila wrote that Carter had surgery to repair his left wrist, adding that he is left-handed.
She wrote the surgery ‘will begin with exploratory surgery and may lead to a plate, pins, etc. They are waiting to begin work on his legs as they need to ”rest” from the newly installed fixators.’
According to his Facebook, Viss studied at Palm Beach Atlantic University towards a degree in marine biology and is listed as maintenance technician for Loggerhead Marinelife Center.
Public photos of Viss show him swimming in the ocean, spearfishing and rescuing marine animals.
According to his Facebook, Viss studied at Palm Beach Atlantic University towards a degree in marine biology and is listed as maintenance technician for Loggerhead Marinelife Center
Bystander Samantha Marulli told WPTV: ‘A boat came along and went right over them. When they pulled him out of the water, he didn’t have an arm.’ ‘The fireman used a paddle board to go out with a bag to get the arm’
On Thanksgiving around 12.40pm, Daniel Stanton, 30, was operating a boat while heading southbound in the Atlantic Ocean near Breakers Hotel, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, he told The Sun Sentinel.
Stanton spotted designated diving flags and divers, including Viss, in the distance before immediately throttling down the vessel.
Unfortunately, it came into contact with Viss as it was decelerating and caused immediate damage.
Bystander Samantha Marulli told WPTV: ‘A boat came along and went right over them. When they pulled him out of the water, he didn’t have an arm.’
‘The fireman used a paddle board to go out with a bag to get the arm.’
Marulli said people on the boat helped bring Viss to shore where emergency crews were waiting.
‘Everybody was hugging each other and crying it was a very catastrophic scene,’ she said.
In a blog post Sunday, his mom Leila added: ‘Although we want to see Carter’s eyes and smile, we almost cringe when he moves and fights off the breathing tube.
‘For now, we don’t want Carter to feel the pain. We want him to stay calm and sedated so that his body can heal.’
Viss’ family have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money to help pay for his medical and rehab expenses and the fund has already exceeded $27,500.