SOUTH MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Rescue crews have transported several patients to area hospitals after what officials described as a boating accident near Boca Chita Island left nearly a dozen people injured.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Coast Guard, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Miami-Dade Police and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue responded to the scene of the wreck at around 6:45 p.m., Sunday.
Initial reports state a boat with around a dozen people on board collided with some sort of pole.
“One female is unaccounted for in the boating accident. Air rescue is getting started, and I believe they’re notifying Coast Guard and FWC,” said a first responder in radio transmissions.
The victim who was unaccounted for was eventually located.
First responders brought the victims to Black Point Marina in South Miami-Dade, and from there, paramedics transported them to area hospitals.
MDFR officials said three of the victims were airlifted.
“Police arrived first and pulled the people out of the water,” said MDFR Capt. Juan Garrandes. “Some that were critical were taken to Elliot Key Island where rescue landed and transported some critical patients before we got there.”
7News cameras captured crews wheeling a female patient out of a rescue helicopter moments after it landed at Jackson South Medical Center. She is listed in critical condition.
Back at Black Point Marina, people who appeared to be family members were seen speaking with first responders, as they waited for one last fire boat to return.
MDFR officials said six of the victims suffered minor injuries. They were checked out by crews at the marina.
Authorities have not provided further details about the crash, as they continue to investigate.
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