A head-on airboat collision in Florida injured at least two dozen people over the weekend, involving a Bay Area youth sports team and their parents. The incident occurred around 3:15 p.m. on Friday in Ochopee, Florida, when two airboats collided. One boat carried 13 passengers, while the other had 20, along with their respective operators. Both airboats were on swamp tours when the crash took place, as shown in helicopter footage from the scene.
The crash occurred south of U.S. Highway 41, also known as the Tamiami Trail, between the 74- and 75-mile markers, which runs through the Florida Everglades and Big Cypress National Preserve. This area is a well-known route that connects Naples to Miami. Local authorities, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, are investigating the cause of the crash, but further details about the incident are currently limited.
Head-On Airboat Collision in Florida Injures Two Dozen, Involving Bay Area Youth Sports Team
The youth sports team involved in the collision is MEGA Football and Cheer, a non-profit organization based in the East Bay. The group was in Florida for the American Youth Football & Cheer National Championships in Naples. According to a Facebook post from the organization, some members and their parents were on the airboats when the crash occurred. While the team reported that all involved were stable as of Saturday morning, some parents faced significant injuries that would require a lengthy recovery process.
A total of 24 people were injured in the crash, with 16 individuals requiring transport to a local hospital. However, it remains unclear how many members of the youth sports team and their parents were on the boats at the time of the collision, as the spokesperson from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission did not confirm the exact numbers. Authorities have not yet disclosed further details about the crash, as it remains under investigation.
The collision has raised concerns for the victims and their families, but as of the latest reports, everyone involved was in stable condition. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is continuing its investigation into the incident, and no additional information has been released about the cause of the crash. The event has left the community and those affected seeking answers while focusing on recovery and support for the injured.
