FAIR HAVEN -- A Cayuga County boat patrol rescued three boaters after a major mechanical failure that threw two passengers into the water.

The Cayuga County Sheriff’s Navigation unit reported a water rescue on Lake Ontario Saturday afternoon.

Deputies on patrol on Lake Ontario say they saw a boat in the area of McIntyre Bluffs veering left and going in circles. When they approached the boat, they saw two men in the water waving and screaming for help.

Officials say the boat was traveling at about 30 miles per hour when veered to the left and threw two of the three passengers into the water.

22-year-old Matthew Pritcher, of Oswego, was thrown from the boat and his right foot was nearly amputated when his ankle struck the boat’s propeller. 21-year-old Christopher Pritcher, of Oswego, was thrown from the boat and was uninjured.

A third victim, 21-year-old Ashlie Crawford, of Oswego, was knocked unconscious in the boat. Police say that after regaining consciousness, Crawford was able to cut the power to the engine and stop the boat.

All three were treated by medical personnel at the Fair Haven State Park boat launch.

Police say Matthew Pritcher was taken to Upstate Medical Center, where doctors were able to re-attach his foot. Crawford was also taken to Upstate where she was treated for head and internal injuries.

Officials say the accident was caused by a mechanical failure. The steering cable became unhooked from the anchor point in the engine, which caused the boat to make a sudden left turn.