OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – Twenty people were injured when two airboats crashed at Wild Florida in Osceola County, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.
Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission confirmed Monday afternoon they were responding to a report of an airboat crash at Wild Florida.
Coast Guard officials said 30 people were involved in the incident – 28 passengers and two captains.
According to a news release from the Coast Guard, they said they did not respond to the initial crash, but are “investigating the incident involving two airboats colliding on Cypress Lake in Kenansville, Florida.”
Wild Florida later put out a statement that read in full:
“Today at Wild Florida, two airboats collided while doing routine tours, resulting in passenger injuries. First, we would like to apologize to all visitors involved and pray for a speedy recovery for all injured parties.
We are cooperating fully with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the U.S. Coast Guard and other state and local authorities as they conduct an official investigation of the incident. We are also conducting our own internal investigation to determine the cause of the incident. Wild Florida prides itself on not just having U.S. Coast Guard-approved airboats but also hiring licensed Master Captains who elevate our safety protocols.
We also want to extend our added gratitude to the many Wild Florida staff members and rescue teams from Osceola County EMS, St. Cloud Fire Rescue, and the Osceola County Sheriff's Department for their swift response.
At this time, all airboat activities at Wild Florida are suspended until further notice.”
Wild Florida
“One of our airboat captains is a firefighter. He says at least three to four ambulances, we need one with a backboard and a CID (a head immobilizer),” a caller told 911 dispatch.
The caller also told dispatch that they had patients with rib injuries, shoulder injuries and lacerations.
HCA Florida Osceola Hospital confirmed that they received 16 patients who sustained injuries – 14 with minor injuries and two critical, but stable. All patients have been discharged, according to the hospital.
Four additional people were taken to Orlando Health St. Cloud Hospital after the crash in “good condition,” the a hospital representative said.
Patients at both hospitals were treated and released, officials said.
A FWC official said the U.S. Coast Guard will be taking the lead on the investigation since the airboat is a “commercial vehicle.”
On Tuesday, News 6 asked the Coast Guard for clarity on the number injured since they reported 13 being injured on Monday.
“The Coast Guard received a report that approximately 13 people were injured. The responding agencies should have a more accurate number for you as they were on scene for the initial response. Among the agencies that responded to the scene of the initial incident were the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Osceola County Sheriff’s Office. The Coast Guard did not respond to the initial incident,” read USCG’s response.
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#USCG investigators from #PortCanaveral are responding to an incident on Cypress Lake in Kenansville, FL, involving two airboats colliding. Approximately 30 people were involved, and 13 injuries were reported. @MyFWC & @OsceolaSheriff were the responding agencies. pic.twitter.com/N9T2jszq9c
— USCGSoutheast (@USCGSoutheast) August 14, 2023
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