RUSKIN, Fla. — A day on the Little Manatee River turns almost deadly for a group of Tampa Bay boaters.
And a local mother credits a family of Good Samaritans with saving her life.
"And the last time the boat went over me, I pretty much thought that was it," said Lindsay Johnson.
Johnson says a freak boating accident nearly killed her and her friends on June 2.
With three people in the water, the captain kicked the boat in gear before falling in trying to save an overboard dog.
"I was just hoping, you know, we all could get out and survive," said Johnson.
That sent the boat scrambling in circles at a high speed. The group was in the water directly in the boat's path.
While everyone else made it to shore, Johnson held her breath, sinking as fast as she could as the boat zoomed by.
"I'm just thankful we're all alive," said Johnson.
A family of three rushed to the bank, pulling Johnson into their boat and wrapping her wounds with towels.
The boat's propellor cut into both of Johnson's legs.
"I don't have enough words, but I'm very thankful for them and everything they did."
Johnson underwent two surgeries and will be off her feet for the next 6-8 weeks.
She recently posted to a Ruskin neighborhood Facebook page, tracking down the family who helped her.
Johnson plans on meeting the Withrow's to thank them personally this week.
In the meantime, the avid boater is not letting what happened to her keep her off the water.
"I kind of just want to face my fear," said Johnson. "I don't want it to scar me and hold me back for the rest of my life."
