“Mysterious” boating accident in Florida
04-13-2011, 08:47 AM
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“Mysterious” boating accident in Florida
STUART, FL (WPBF/CNN) - An unusual boating accident in Florida was caught on camera when a boat spun out of control, leaving one woman injured and another man missing.
Mike Thomas, who lives on Hutchinson Island, filmed the boat as he drove to Stuart on his boat.
He said he saw a lot of police and something unusual in the water next to the Evans Crary Bridge.
"Just bought a new camera yesterday and figured I'd check it out. There was a bout out there just spinning around in circles," he said.
Thomas shot the video from the banks of the St. Lucie River as the vessel spun out of control. Witnesses said the man and woman who were aboard the boat were thrown off after it had hit the bridge.
Woody Woodruff, a tow boat captain, said a few good Samaritans plucked the woman out of the water, but the man disappeared.
"She thought she had a broken leg and she was visibly shaken. I didn't see any open wounds but I think she was hit on the head by the boat," Woodruff said. "She said he had brown shorts no shirt and she thought he might have severed his arm. She tried to hold him but she couldn't."
Woodruff escorted the good Samaritans' boat to Sand Sprit Park where the woman was airlifted to a nearby medical center.
Martin County Sheriff's Deputies and Fish and Wildlife Officers searched the water while the U.S. Coast Guard took their eyes to the sky.
Two crews were able to get control of the boat, but it wasn't easy.
"When I got to the boat the steering rod was broke and the engine was locked over as far as it could go. It took about 25 minutes and over 200 feet of line that we wrapped around the boat before it finally stopped it," Tow Boat Captain Ryan Pratt said.
Fish and Wildlife Officers recovered the boat as rescue crews continued their search.
"We're looking in the river basically where the vessel was found doing circles. And whether or not that was where individuals were ejected from the boat we don't know," said Lt. Vann Streety with Florida Fish and Wildlife.
Mike Thomas, who lives on Hutchinson Island, filmed the boat as he drove to Stuart on his boat.
He said he saw a lot of police and something unusual in the water next to the Evans Crary Bridge.
"Just bought a new camera yesterday and figured I'd check it out. There was a bout out there just spinning around in circles," he said.
Thomas shot the video from the banks of the St. Lucie River as the vessel spun out of control. Witnesses said the man and woman who were aboard the boat were thrown off after it had hit the bridge.
Woody Woodruff, a tow boat captain, said a few good Samaritans plucked the woman out of the water, but the man disappeared.
"She thought she had a broken leg and she was visibly shaken. I didn't see any open wounds but I think she was hit on the head by the boat," Woodruff said. "She said he had brown shorts no shirt and she thought he might have severed his arm. She tried to hold him but she couldn't."
Woodruff escorted the good Samaritans' boat to Sand Sprit Park where the woman was airlifted to a nearby medical center.
Martin County Sheriff's Deputies and Fish and Wildlife Officers searched the water while the U.S. Coast Guard took their eyes to the sky.
Two crews were able to get control of the boat, but it wasn't easy.
"When I got to the boat the steering rod was broke and the engine was locked over as far as it could go. It took about 25 minutes and over 200 feet of line that we wrapped around the boat before it finally stopped it," Tow Boat Captain Ryan Pratt said.
Fish and Wildlife Officers recovered the boat as rescue crews continued their search.
"We're looking in the river basically where the vessel was found doing circles. And whether or not that was where individuals were ejected from the boat we don't know," said Lt. Vann Streety with Florida Fish and Wildlife.
04-13-2011, 10:54 AM
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04-13-2011, 11:03 AM
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04-13-2011, 12:47 PM
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That just sucks. I read in that article he was struck by the prop and lost an arm prior to drifting away. I can't imagine the amount of pain and panic that would set in before ultimatly loosing the battle....
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family...
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family...
