Weekend Accidents on South Florida Waters Leave 11 People Hospitalized
On Sunday, three boating incidents in the waters of Broward and Miami-Dade left a total of 11 people hospitalized.
Just after midnight Sunday morning, two boats collided in the Intracoastal Waterway sending four people to the hospital, two of them with life-threatening injuries. Per reports, one of the boats did not have its headlights on. According to a witness, several bottles of alcohol were found inside the boat. However, it is not clear whether alcohol played a role in the collision. The four people were transported to Broward Health Medical Center.
In a separate incident, at approximately 9:00 a.m. rescue personnel responded to a boat fire involving a 1988 23′ Donzi at Black Point Marina. Per reports, the vessel was docked at the marina with seven people on board, including minors and it appears that the engine compartment flashed due to fumes. One adult and one minor were airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital and two other minors were transported by ground to Kendall Regional Medical Center. According to officials the victims suffered serious burns.
At approximately 3:00 p.m. rescue personnel received reports of a third incident involving a jet ski that collided with a watercraft nearby Picnic Island, located off 21st street and Bayshore Drive in Miami, Florida. Per reports, two people were on the jet ski when it collided with the boat and the jet ski struck a woman that was on the boat. Both jet ski passengers were thrown off the jet ski and knocked unconscious as a result of the impact. A passenger of the boat jumped in the water and brought the two people on-board. Paramedics rushed all three injured people to Jackson Memorial Hospital in unknown condition. However, according to reports they were all conscious at the time of transport.
All three incidents are currently under investigation.