Cigarette Accident in SWFL
02-19-2008, 10:35 PM
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Cigarette Accident in SWFL
I posted this over in Fort Myers Offshore about 30 mins ago but thought it might be better here since it involved people from IN.
The story was just updated from the original one and there is now a video clip of the newscast.
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readar...leid=17649&z=3
I hope the best for all of them.
The story was just updated from the original one and there is now a video clip of the newscast.
http://www.nbc-2.com/articles/readar...leid=17649&z=3
Five injured in boating accident
Last updated on: 2/19/2008 11:26:12 PM by Patrick Flanary
LEE COUNTY: After a boating accident, five men on a business trip from Fort Wayne, Indiana were ejected and all of them had to paddle to shore on a boat's engine hood from the Monroe Channel.
The boaters ran into a pole out on the water. Emergency workers say they probably hit the pole because it was not lit.
Officials on the scene say the men actually had to paddle for over two hours, while sitting on top of the engine hatch, just to get back to shore.
One of the five men was life-flighted to Lee Memorial Hospital. The other four had non life-threatening injuries and they were taken to Cape Coral Hospital.
The original call came into Coast Guard dispatch at 9:05 p.m. and the accident was reported to be around the area of 2096 Macadamia Lane in St. James City.
The Coast Guard was originally called out to rescue the boaters. But the search and rescue mission was called off once it was known they made it to shore.
But for right now, they are still investigating what happened with the help of the Lee County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island Fire departments, and Florida Fish and Wildlife.
It is unknown whether the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.
The boat they were in was described as a 2007, 39-foot Top Gun Cigarette Boat.
Last updated on: 2/19/2008 11:26:12 PM by Patrick Flanary
LEE COUNTY: After a boating accident, five men on a business trip from Fort Wayne, Indiana were ejected and all of them had to paddle to shore on a boat's engine hood from the Monroe Channel.
The boaters ran into a pole out on the water. Emergency workers say they probably hit the pole because it was not lit.
Officials on the scene say the men actually had to paddle for over two hours, while sitting on top of the engine hatch, just to get back to shore.
One of the five men was life-flighted to Lee Memorial Hospital. The other four had non life-threatening injuries and they were taken to Cape Coral Hospital.
The original call came into Coast Guard dispatch at 9:05 p.m. and the accident was reported to be around the area of 2096 Macadamia Lane in St. James City.
The Coast Guard was originally called out to rescue the boaters. But the search and rescue mission was called off once it was known they made it to shore.
But for right now, they are still investigating what happened with the help of the Lee County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit, Fort Myers Beach and Pine Island Fire departments, and Florida Fish and Wildlife.
It is unknown whether the passengers were wearing life jackets at the time of the accident.
The boat they were in was described as a 2007, 39-foot Top Gun Cigarette Boat.
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02-19-2008, 10:46 PM
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Most of the markers in this area are day beacons. A lot of the ICW in this part is surrounded on both sides by shallow water. Pretty common here - wide areas of water but only a bit of it is deep.
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02-19-2008, 10:55 PM
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There are some unlight poles in that area. Could be a powerline running out to the Island??
I hope they are not seriously hurt and make a full recovery soon.
Bob
02-19-2008, 10:56 PM
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reason number 23498 that i haaaaate drivin at nite... hopes for a speedy recovery and an easy arrangement with insurance. This could happen to anyone ridin at nite..
02-19-2008, 11:17 PM
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Yep, it is dark around here at night (unless it is around a full moon). It took me a long time to get comfortable with night boating and I still force myself to keep the speeds down in the channels and bays because I'm always afraid of missing a marker or coming up on an unlit skiff anchored in the channel/bay.
02-19-2008, 11:18 PM
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