Overboard Crabber Saved From Runaway Boat

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- A good Samaritan rescued a crabber who was tossed overboard on the Wicomico River in St. Mary's County.

At 9:25 a.m. Wednesday the Maryland Natural Resources Police received a tip that a crabber had fallen overboard off of his 22-foot C Hawk.

Todd Wesley Thompson, 51, was tending to his trot line, when he accidentally struck the throttle, sending his boat into a high speed circle, trapping himself inside the boat.

In order to stay above water, Thompson had to repeatedly keep pushing himself away from the boat. A good Samaritan swooped in just in time to pull Thompson out of the water before he was fully submerged.

Police were able to track the boat that was traveling about 15 knots and upon arrival they managed to slow the boat down just enough so that an officer could jump on board and stop it.

Thompson was examined by EMS and later released.