Airboat operator arrested after vessel flips over in the Everglades
MIAMI - The operator of an airboat was arrested Friday afternoon after his vessel flipped over while carrying 9 people in the Everglades in western Miami-Dade.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials said, "The operator of the airboat, an employee of Coopertown Airboat Rides, was arrested and transported to jail for having neither proof of completion of a boating safety course nor a captain's license issued by the United States Coast Guard."
Chopper 4 flew over the scene just south of the Tamiami Trail, images showed the vessel on its side in shallow water.
CBS News Miami spoke with passengers who were on that airboat.
They described the scary moments after the airboat flipped and then they were in the water.
All 10 people were recovered from the water and treated on land for minor injuries, officials said.
They all said the driver was making a U-turn because of an alligator in the water.
That's when they felt the boat tilting, after what they said was a sharp U-turn.
Authorities said one person was assessed for injuries, but not transported to a hospital.
Florida Fish and Wildlife is the lead agency investigating this incident.
The investigation continues.
