On November 3, 2023, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), followed up with a boating accident that happened November 1, 2023. The incident came in as a flipped airboat near Aucilla and a Good Samaritan got the operator out of the water and transported the operator to the Lighthouse boat ramp for EMS to pick him up.
After reviewing the call and finding out who the operator was, I was able to locate him and speak to him in person about the incident. The operator was a OP1. OP1 stated that PAX 1 and another airboat operator started their day around 0900 AM and the incident happened around 1600 PM. The incident per OP1 happened west of the lighthouse. OP1 explained that they were fishing, and the wind started to pick up, so he decided to head back to shore. On his way back in his vessel nosedived and took a side sea from the port side of the vessel. He stated the initial nosedive and side sea through PAX1 out of the vessel and bounced him (OP1) around the vessel until he was eventually thrown out as well. The vessel flipped over and eventually sank.
OP1 explained he was still able to make a phone call to OP2 to tell him what happened. OP1 stated he and PAX1 were in the water for nearly an hour before OP2 was able to get them out. When OP2 got them in his vessel to take them back to shore, his vessel ran hot and had to switch them to a third vessel they had anchored. PAX1 operated the third vessel back to the lighthouse, while OP2 stayed with his vessel. EMS met them at the lighthouse, where OP1 was then transported to the hospital.
When I spoke with OP1, he mentioned the incident caused him to have chest pains and he has a history of heart problems. He stated that during the incident he was bruised black and became really cold. He said once at the hospital it took near an hour to finally warm up. This meaning the incident was a boating accident with injury since it was beyond normal first aid. OP1 was discharged from the hospital on November 2, 2023.
After speaking with OP1, I spoke with the others involved (OP2 and PAX1) and all the stories matched. I informed everyone involved that the vessel will still need to be removed. OP2 stated that he was planning to try and get the vessel out with another friend today, November 3, 2023. I told OP2 and OP1 that if they cannot get the vessel out, they will most likely need to call SeaTow to help. I also informed everyone involved I will need to be called when the vessel is removed to take pictures and inspect the damage done to the vessel.
On November 10, 2023, I was able to take pictures of the vessel and inspect the damages done.; OP1 when slammed into the boat suffered some bruising and chest pains. Because of this he was admitted to the hospital.

Apalachee Bay
CRAWFORDVILLE                 