MIAMI (WSVN) - A woman was airlifted to the hospital after, officials said, she and another woman were injured in a personal watercraft accident, Monday afternoon.
7News Skyforce hovered above the scene about a mile and a half south of Bill Baggs State Park, near Key Biscayne. The woman who was more seriously injured was seen lying on the rear of the personal watercraft after people on board a party boat spotted her and came to help.
Capt. Alexis Perez, who waited with the woman until rescue crews arrived, told 7News he happened to be in the right place at the right time. “She couldn’t move, and she was floating in the water,” he said, “so we had her on the back of the JetSki, just to keep her head out of the water and breathing.”
Perez then called for help. He said the woman looked like she took a bad fall. “I don’t know. She must have flown at a high speed off the ski and dislocated half of her body that she couldn’t move or feel,” he said.
Officials said both women were on the same JetSki when it ran aground, throwing them into the water.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue divers arrived at the scene shortly after and jumped in the water to render aid. Miami Fire Rescue and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue were also involved in the rescue.
Officials said the more seriously hurt woman suffered head and neck injuries. Rescuers carefully placed the victim on a Miami Fire Rescue boat that took her to No Name Harbor at the state park. From there, she was airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in unknown condition.
The crew of a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue boat located the second victim. Officials said she suffered some facial injuries and was transported to Mercy Hospital for treatment.
The multi-agency rescue effort could have had a different outcome had it not been for Perez’s assistance. Most days, his job is about taking groups out for fun, but on Monday, the good times gave way to a good deed. “I’m on the water daily, and I help a lot of people on a daily basis, and I’m glad I was able to help them,” he said.
Authorities have not released the victims’ names or their conditions.
Florida Fish and Wildlife officials are investigating the cause of the accident.
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