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Man recovering after losing legs in Myrtle Beach parasailing accident

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C — A man who lost both his legs during a parasailing accident in Myrtle Beach continues to recover following the traumatizing experience.

[Man's legs amputated after parasailing accident in Myrtle Beach]

Last weekend, Henry Owens and his family went parasailing at the beach, but Owens slipped as he was moving from the parasailing boat onto the banana boat that would take them back to the beach.

"I remember going underneath,” he said. “The propellers were there. I was trying to work my way up and my legs got caught in the propellers."

Both of Owens' legs were severed, and he was placed in a medically induced coma for two days.

Owens said he’s now focused on learning to do everyday things and wants to be able to play basketball with his children.

He said that if the boat had been idle, he wouldn't have lost his legs.

Officials said the commercial parasailing operation was not inspected, but that's not required for boats carrying fewer than six people.

The U.S. Coast Guard is investigating to figure out what caused the accident.

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