CHICAGO– Two women have been critically injured after they were sucked under a boat while lounging on a float.
The incident occurred Saturday around 5:00 p.m. the “Playpen” area of Lake Michigan.
Officials say a group of six to eight people were lounging on a flotation raft when a power boat tried to anchor in the area.
During the process of anchoring, the boat experienced a malfunction and backed into the group.
Two of the women who were on the float then got sucked under the boat.
When authorities arrived to the scene, they found the first victim described as a 28-year-old woman hanging halfway into a boat and clinging to another person.
The victim’s hand was “severely severed.”
A second victim, a 34-year-old mother was on the stern of a boat with both of her feet “severed.”

She has since spoke out stating that her husband saved her life.

“At a distance I saw my husband’s eyes searching for me in a panic,” Lana Batochir said. “I would never forget his face of pain. We connected eyes, but I couldn’t stay up … My husband truly saved my life when he pulled me out of the water.”

Doctors at Northwestern Memorial Hospital have told Batochir that her legs will have to be amputated below the knees.

“It still feels like a nightmare. Anyone who knows me knows that I love to dance, love music, and enjoying life itself with family. My life has completely changed because of one unfortunate tragedy.”

Despite everything, she says still feels lucky to be alive “I still feel very lucky to be alive. I thought I would die. I’m grateful I will be able to hug and kiss my kids, my husband, my family, and my friends.” I will get through this and come out stronger with my new lifestyle.

Authorities are still investigating the situation.