Officials said a North Texas boater whose 2-year-old was found in the woods after he went missing was killed when he was accidentally struck by the boat propeller. [[415545853,C]]
The Tarrant County medical examiner's office said 38-year-old Matthew Meinert died underwater in Denton Creek in Roanoke. His body was found Friday.
Meinert launched a fishing boat March 6 from a Trophy Club ramp. His son, Oliver, was with him. About an hour later, his boat was found beached in a creek bed. A search then began.
Texas Game Warden Cliff Swofford told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that the next morning, officials were walking through the woods near where the boat was found when Oliver walked up to them.
Swofford said he was "dry, scratched-up, scared and cold" but was fine when they reunited him with his mother later in the morning. The Texas Game Warden's Office said Oliver was unable to tell them anything about what took place or where his father was.
"We're just thankful to have some closure for the family and we're obviously thankful for the child being found alive and well," Swofford said.
Swofford also confirmed to NBC 5 the boater did not have a life jacket on when his body was discovered.
