Current:Home > reviewsAirboats collide in Florida, injuring 13 who were on Everglades tours -Infinite Edge Learning
Airboats collide in Florida, injuring 13 who were on Everglades tours
Surpassing View
Date:2025-04-08 12:30:48
Two airboats collided with each other on a lake in Florida, injuring 13 people.
The airboats crashed into one another on Monday at Wild Florida, a nature park that offers gator encounters, a safari and Everglade airboat tours. The park is in Kenansville on Lake Cypress, just south of Orlando.
The cause of the crash is not yet known, and the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit will be leading the investigation. Wild Florida has suspended all airboat activities until further notice in response to the incident.
Here’s what else we know so far:
When did the airboat crash occur?
The crash happened around 12:15 p.m. Monday.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission and the Osceola County Sheriff's Office first responded to the scene of the incident. The U.S. Coast Guard investigators arrived on the scene shortly after.
How many people were on the airboats?
According to the Coast Guard, approximately 30 people were involved in the incident, including 28 passengers and two captains.
It's unclear how many people were on each individual boat.
What is known about their injuries?
The extent of the injuries suffered by the 13 people are unknown, though the Coast Guard said there were no life-threatening injuries.
WFTV-TV in Orlando reported that two people were flown to HCA Florida Osceola Hospital and six people were taken there by ambulance. Three people were taken by ambulance to St. Cloud Hospital and 17 people declined treatment.
Four people were taken to an Orlando Health facility and have already been released, WOFL-TV reported.
Crash:'Craziest experience of my life:' Pilot survives crash in waters off Florida Keys
Cold case:Miami police begin pulling cars submerged from a Doral lake. Here's what they found so far.
What is Wild Florida?
Wild Florida is a nature park on Lake Cypress south of Orlando and offers airboat tours, a safari drive-thru and animal encounters, its website says.
Wild Florida is on a mission to "provide an unforgettable Everglades experience that promotes a connection with animals while inspiring education and conservation," according to its website.
What has Wild Florida said about the incident?
The Wild Florida team took to Facebook to apologize to all visitors involved and wish a speedy recovery to those injured.
"We are cooperating fully with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other state and local authorities as they conduct an official investigation of the incident," the Facebook post said. "We are also conducting our own internal investigation to determine the cause of the incident. Wild Florida prides itself on not just having U.S. Coast Guard-approved airboats but also hiring licensed Master Captains who elevate our safety protocols."
veryGood! (37892)
Related
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- A fuel leak forces a US company to abandon its moon landing attempt
- Run, Don’t Walk to Le Creuset’s Rare Winter Sale With Luxury Cookware up to 50% Off
- Tiger Woods and Nike have ended their partnership after 27 years
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- At Golden Globes, Ayo Edebiri of The Bear thanks her agent's assistants, the people who answer my emails
- Hezbollah fires rockets at Israel in response to killing of top Hamas leader
- CES 2024 updates: The most interesting news and gadgets from tech’s big show
- Appeals court scraps Nasdaq boardroom diversity rules in latest DEI setback
- Border Patrol, Mexico's National Guard ramp up efforts to curb illegal border crossings
Ranking
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- South Carolina Republican agenda includes energy resilience, gender care, Black history and guns
- Why there's a storm brewing about global food aid from the U.S.
- Bonuses for college football coaches soar to new heights; Harbaugh sets record with haul
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Tiger Woods and Nike have ended their partnership after 27 years
- Michigan wins College Football Playoff National Championship, downing Huskies 34-13
- Why there's a storm brewing about global food aid from the U.S.
Recommendation
The Daily Money: Spending more on holiday travel?
Who's on the 2024 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot? What to know about election, voting
New labor rules aim to offer gig workers more security, though some employers won’t likely be happy
Poland’s new government is in a standoff with the former ruling party over 2 convicted politicians
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
Ex-UK Post Office boss gives back a royal honor amid fury over her role in wrongful convictions
Finding a remote job is getting harder, especially if you want a high-earning job
Amazon Can’t Keep These 21 Fashion Items in Stock Because They’re Always Selling Out