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Windsurfer Dies After Colliding With Boat in Martin County

April 19, 2017 Florida Boat Accident Law

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Dr. Thomas Connelly, a 68-year-old man and resident of Stuart, Florida in Martin County was windsurfing and heading south on the east side of the Stuart Causeway.  Bobby Ray Hall Jr., a 50-year-old man of Little River, South Carolina, was driving a 21-foot Sea King center console boat heading southwest toward the causeway from the eastside of the water way and was accompanied by a 12-year-old boy.

While traveling about a half-mile north of the causeway, the windsurfer and the vessel collided.  The operator of the vessel, Mr. Hall stopped and pulled Dr. Connelly out of the water and began administering CRP while returning to the Indian River Plantation dock.   Thereafter, Dr. Connelly was transported to Martin Memorial North Hospital, where he died.

Per news sources, Dr. Connelly was a dermatologist practicing skin cancer surgery and he reportedly treated over 75,000 cases of skin cancer.  Dr. Connelly is also described as a pillar of the Stuart community.

The investigation of the accident is still underway but the FWC report indicates that alcohol was not a factor in the crash.