STUART, Florida (10 Jan 2009) — A Florida man lost his legs in a tragic diving accident near Sandsprit Park. Investigation officials told CDNN that Robert Murphy, 26, was spearfishing with several friends off the Dykoke commercial dive boat when he was hit by a 38-ft power boat named Master Plan, which was driven by Dr. Roger Nicosia, a resident of Stuart, Florida. Murphy was airlifted by helicopter to St. Mary's Medical Center where doctors amputated both of his legs due to horrific injuries caused by the boat's propeller. Gabriella Ferraro, spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, said authorities are interviewing witnesses and conducting tests that may take a month to complete. Officials said as part of their standard investigation procedure, toxicology tests were done on Nicosia, however, they have not yet received the results. No charges were filed against Nicosia, an experienced boat operator who told investigators his boat had propeller problems. Witnesses told CDNN the dive boat was flying a "diver down" flag and Murphy and other divers in the group were diving with proper safety equipment, including small buoyant signaling devices known as "safety sausages". According to unconfirmed reports, Nicosia, an experienced ER doctor, did not remain at the scene of the accident and did not provide medical assistance to the severely injured diver. Authorities told CDNN that Murphy's injuries were life-threatening and credited the professionalism and emergency preparedness of the dive boat captain for saving his life. | 
