Man dies in boating accident on Mosquito

CORTLAND -- A 57-year-old Aurora man died Tuesday evening after a boating accident on Mosquito Lake.
The accident occurred when Jerry Hixson and his stepson were fishing near the state Route 88 causeway. The name and age of Hixson's stepson were not immediately known, said Jeff Orth, Mosquito Lake State Park manager.
About 7:48 p.m., Hixson's boat was hit by a large series of waves from other watercraft, Orth said.
The waves caused Hixson to bounce up out of his seat and lose his balance. Hixson then fell out of the boat and was struck by the propellor of the outboard motor.
Hixson's stepson got him back into the boat and took him to the Route 88 launch ramp, where he was treated by the Mecca Fire Department.
Hixson was taken to St. Joseph Health Center, where he died.
The accident is under investigation by Mosquito Lake officials and the Ohio Division of Watercraft.
Orth said the accident was caused by the large waves and there were no other mitigating circumstances involved.