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 lost his left leg after it was torn apart in a horrific boating accident in which a drunk female driver ran over him on a North Texas lake.

Kyle Lively was enjoying an evening of boating with his two young sons on Eagle Mountain Lake near Fort Worth, Texas, last Saturday night when he was “unexpectedly” thrown from the back of the boat into the water.

Azle Fire Department officials said first responders were called around 8:45 p.m. and found a man struck by a boat propeller. NBCDFW reported.

The boat’s driver 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 torn apart by the spinning metal blades of the boat’s propellers, but miraculously he was able to drag himself to the surface of the water using his arms and his will to live, his family said.

Three good Samaritans pulled him to safety, tied a tourniquet around his legs and called 911. He was taken by helicopter to Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital, a Level 1 trauma center.

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 and told his loved ones that he had decided to move forward and “amputate” his left leg, expressing how difficult it was to make the life-changing decision.

“There’s no saving it,” he said. “I lost 10 inches of thigh bone and muscle in the upper quadrant,” he said.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a few days,” he said.

“I have asked God to guide me through this entire process.”

In the message, he expressed his gratitude, saying he was “completely overwhelmed by all the people who had reached out to him” and all the “love” that had been shown.

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

Lively’s sister, Marie Lively, told local news channel 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 an amazing man. One of the best there is. A hard worker, a kind soul, a fun guy and most of all a devoted father to his two boys,” she said in a GoFundMe she created.

Lively spoke about the long recovery period she faced and the rising medical costs, as her brother runs a small business without health insurance.

“The doctors are hoping he can walk again, and we know he will,” she said. “We also know this will be a long recovery, an uphill battle and a tremendous financial struggle for Kyle and his family.”

“I don’t know what it will cost, but I’m guessing at least $200,000,” Marie said.

“Kyle owns his own elevator inspection business, but unfortunately he is unable to work at this time, which is adding further financial pressure and stress,” she said.

“So we humbly ask for your help. No donation is too big or too small and ALL money raised will go to Kyle’s medical bills and family,” she said.

She outlined some of the preliminary expenses he will face, including hospital bills, rehabilitation costs, mortgage, home bills and living expenses.

She became emotional when she realized that the almost fatal event could have ended differently.

“He’s going to be okay, and everything is going to be okay no matter what,” she said sadly. ‘Because he lives.’

From Saturday the GoFundMe has raised over $35,000 toward their $50,000 goal.