Water Police are investigating a boating incident that occurred near East Arm Wharf precinct around 8:30pm last night.

Senior Sergeant Paul Faustmann said two men aged 28 and 34 and a three-year old child, were returning to the Elizabeth Rive boat ramp from a fishing trip on the harbour.

“It appears the vessel they were travelling in has entered an exclusion zone and struck the outlet pipe for a large dredging machine near the new Marine Supply Basin at East Arm Wharf.

“Early indications are that the 34-year-old and the 3-year-old ended up in the water.

“As a result of this, the 34-year-old has suffered major injuries to his left leg by the running propeller.

“The 28-year-old has retrieved both persons from the water and returned back to land to raise the alarm.”

All three persons were conveyed to Royal Darwin Hospital where the 28-year-old was treated and later released, while the 34-year-old remains in a stable condition. The three year old child suffered life threatening injuries and is in a serious but stable condition.

The Water Police Section is continuing their investigations as to how the fishing vessel was able to enter an exclusion zone.