NORTHWOOD — A man saved his two young children after swamping a small motorboat and being struck by the craft and its propeller on Monday, the New Hampshire State Police Marine Patrol said.

A 5-year-old boy onboard escaped serious injury despite falling into the water and getting his lifejacket stuck on the lower part of the 15-horsepower outboard motor, Sgt. Joshua Dirth said.

Craig Jankowski, 41, of New Paltz, N.Y., was on Pleasant Lake with his 5-year-old son and 3-year-old daughter when he shifted his weight while turning the 12-foot Starcraft aluminum boat, ejecting him over the port side, Dirth said.

The boat circled and struck Jankowski, causing propeller abrasions to his back and shoulder. When the boat came to rest, Jankowski saw his son's lifejacket at the surface and lifted the motor to free the boy. Jankowski removed his son from the lifejacket, but while doing so caused the boat to take on water, Dirth said.

Jankowski swam to the bow and got his daughter off the sinking boat and all three were taken to shore by a pontoon boat that was nearby.

The boy suffered minor abrasions and was taken to a hospital in Concord and was being held overnight for observation, Dirth said.

Dirth said investigators found the motor was not intended for that size vessel. The accident remained under investigation.