Three men have beeninjured, one critical, after the winch snapped while towing a boat ashore Thaa Atoll Madifushi island on Tuesday.
Police said the three locals sustained varying degrees of injuries in the accident that occurred around 11am Thursday.
One is in critical condition and is being treated in the island health centre.
Police together with the families are trying to take the victims to the regional hospital in the nearby island of Vaymandoo.
Police said an investigation was underway into the cause of the accident.