PALMETTO BAY, Fla. (WSVN) — A Palmetto Bay high school student has been killed in a boat crash near the Florida Keys, school officials said.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the crash took place near Bowlegs Cuts, several miles from Islamorada, at around 4 p.m., Sunday.
Investigators said the 24-foot Pathfinder hit a marker, causing the accident.
The student died at the scene while three other people on board the vessel were taken to a local hospital in unknown conditions.
School officials said the deceased victim was a student at Westminster Christian School. They said he was a lacrosse player set to graduate this year.
“He was like the funniest kid I knew. He was always happy. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him sad,” said Nicholas Feria, friend of the victim. “He always had the biggest smile on his face and he was just the best kid. For him to be gone, it’s terrible. I could call him a best friend. It’s not the same.”
Late Sunday night, classmates of the victim gathered at the high school after hearing the news.
“When we all saw each other here at school, it just made it worse,” said Feria. “We all stated bawling and then after we started talking about it we all prayed and started thinking about the good times we’ve had together.”
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