On 4/11/11, at approximately 1600hrs, officers from the FWC responded to a report of an unoccupied runaway vessel at the Evans Crary Bridge in the St. Lucie River River in Martin County. It was also reported a female was rescued from the water near the runaway vessel by good samaritans and transported to Sandsprit Park Boat Ramp. After arriving at Sandsprit, a Martin County Fire Rescue air unit transported her to Lawnwood Medical Center in Ft. Pierce. occupant reported that the runaway vessel struck a male occupant later and he was still in the water. The runaway vessel was subsequently stopped and recovered by Seatow and the Martin County Sheriff's Office.TOR: OTHER
THERE WERE NO WITNESSES TO THIS BOATING ACCIDENT.  THE LONE SURVIVOR HAS NO RECOLLECTION OF HOW SHE ENDED UP IN THE WATER.  SHE STATED THAT SHE REMEMBERED BEING A PASSENGER IN THE VESSEL AND AS THE VICTIM (OPERATOR) WAS PREPARING TO THROTTLE DOWN PRIOR TO ENTERING A SLOW SPEED ZONE SHE ENDED UP IN THE WATER.  SHE THOUGHT SHE WAS EJECTED OUT OF THE VESSEL ON THE STARBOARD SIDE.  SHE DID NOT SEE THE VICTIM GET EJECTED.  THE VESSEL WAS GOING STRAIGHT WHEN SHE WAS EJECTED.

Operator was fatally injured due to drowning and prop damage.; Occupant was injured when the runaway vessel hit her. She sustained minor abrasions and bruises from the impact.
SEWALLS POINT                 