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5 killed, 7 hurt when boat slams into tug in Fla.
[April 13, 2009] PALM VALLEY, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities were investigating Monday why a power boat packed with 12 people slammed into a docked tug boat, killing five people aboard the pleasure craft and seriously injuring 12 others.
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The 22-foot power boat crashed into the rear of the tug at about 7 p.m. Sunday on the Intracoastal Waterway in St. Johns County, about 20 miles northwest of St. Augustine, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Joy Hill. Three of the injured were airlifted from the crash site and all seven were taken to area hospitals, she said. The Intracoastal Waterway runs along Florida's east coastline. Hill was not sure whether those on the Crownline boat were tossed into the water during the crash. She said it doesn't appear anyone was aboard the 25-foot tug boat, which is registered to F&A Enterprises in St. Augustine. The victims names have not been released. The boat was carrying 12 people, according to Jeremy Robshaw of the St. Johns County Fire and Rescue. He told The Florida Times-Union newspaper that three of those injured were in critical condition, with the others in stable condition. Robshaw said the pier was under construction and rescuers had to lay down planking before they could get to the crash victims. Herb Davis watched the rescue from the dock at his home down the street. "There was a lot of moaning," he told the newspaper. "It was very clear, this lady was screaming so loud," he said. |
