Key Biscayne Crash Throws Boaters From Vessel
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Rescue crews saved two boaters who were ejected during a crash on Key Biscayne.
A 32-foot boat left Crandon Park early Sunday with 13 people onboard.
Florida Fish & Wildlife told CBS4 that on the way back to the marina, the driver cut sharply toward the inlet and ran aground in a sandbar in Biscayne Bay.
The stop was so sudden and severe, one woman flew out of the boat and another slammed into the center console.
"They were speeding in an area where you can go full throttle," said FWC Officer Lorenzo Veloz. "Unfortunately, they made a turn sharper than you're supposed to and that's where they hit bottom and the vessel stopped completely, ejecting the first person that was airlifted and that other person that broke her arm."
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue rushed the woman thrown in the water over to a landing area at the Miami Seaquarium nearby, where their chopper flew her to the hospital.
The other woman thrown in the boat was also taken to the hospital with a broken arm. Both were treated and released.
Hours later, in the dark night, four people were still on the stranded boat, waiting for high tide at 1 a.m. after refusing to be towed.
Officials said alcohol was not a factor here, but inexperience was.
"Inexperience is a great part," Veloz explained. "Unfortunately, we have new equipment that helps us with navigation -- GPS. If you don't have one, you should know the areas that you're boating. If not, you should definitely have a GPS on your vessel that can show the correct way to get around."