On March 24th 2013 at approximately 1841 hours, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (herein referred to as FWC) dispatch center in Orlando was notified of a single vessel air boat crash with injuries.  The location of the crash was the southwest side of Puzzle Lake, on the Saint Johns River, in Seminole County.  Multiple units from the Seminole County Fire/EMS, Seminole County Sheriff's Office and FWC were dispatched.  The vessel, a 14 foot Alumicraft air boat bearing Florida registration number FL-1236-HC (herein referred to as V1), struck a barbed wire fence that is adjacent to Brumley Canal.  Four persons were onboard.  One occupant was injured and airlifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center.  The operator and the other two passengers were uninjured.
victim was treated for a fractured left tibia, fractured right lateral malleolus, central cord syndrome and spinal compression.  On Saturday April 6, 2013, victim underwent surgery at Orlando Medical Center.  His C3 through C6 vertebrae were surgically fused.  Note: Prior to the crash, victim had pre-existing back/bone/spinal conditions including spinal compression, degenerative disk disease and stenosis of the spine/back.
MIMS