RedactedNarrative: On June 20, 2015 at approximately 1800 Hours, a single vessel accident occurred in the Peace River at the US 41 North Bound Bridge in Charlotte County Florida.  Involved was a 1984 16' Wellcraft (V1) occupied by four male passengers.  V1 had mechanical failure of the steering which caused the operator to be unable to avoid colliding with a bridge piling.  The collision caused two occupants to be ejected from V1 and serious bodily injury occurred on two passengers.  All passengers of V1 were recovered and transported to land.  The operator was lifeflighted to Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers.  One passenger was lifeflighted to All Children's Hospital in Tampa and the other two passengers were taken by ambulance to Bayfront Hospital in Punta Gorda for treatment of their injuries.  Operator was struck by prop, 9 lacerations along back to the shoulder.  One occupant broken bones (ribs and pelvis) from impact with the bridge.  Second occupant concussion and abrasions from impact with bridge.  Third occupant uninjured.; 
   