WEST BROWARD, FLA. (WSVN) - An airboat ride took a terrifying turn for a Texas family visiting South Florida when, officials said, they collided with another airboat off Alligator Alley, sending a woman to the hospital.
According to Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, the crash took place in a waterway near Mile Marker 35, off Interstate 75 in West Broward, at around 1:30 p.m., Sunday.
Officials said a boat captain carrying a family of three collided with another airboat that had a one person on board. The impact sent the husband and wife from Texas flying into the water.
Paramedics airlifted the woman to Broward Health Medical Center with injuries that were not life-threatening.
“She sustained leg trauma, lower extremity trauma, she was on what we call trauma alert,” said Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue spokesperson Mike Jachles.
7News cameras captured the rescue helicopter arriving at BHMC. The victim was seen moving her right hand and arm moments after she was taken into the hospital.
The others involved in the crash, including the man who was thrown into the water, were not hurt.
Pictures from Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue show the damage the airboats sustained.
1:30pm: 2 airboats collide, woman ejected into water, #trauma #BSO #AirRescue @BrowardHealth Med Ctr @BrowardSheriff #FireRescue I-75/35mm pic.twitter.com/OANreYoLQW
— PIO Mike Jachles (@PIOMikeJ) August 6, 2017
As of Monday, officials had not specified what may have caused the crash.
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