NORTH MIAMI BEACH, FL – A tranquil day on the water took a dramatic turn when a boat careened out of control, resulting in a chaotic collision with a docked vessel. The incident, which took place on a canal connecting the Intracoastal Waterway with Mall Lake, left five people hospitalized and has sparked an investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Witnesses described the scene as surreal, with the boat unexpectedly accelerating and veering off course. “It was like watching a scene from a movie,” said one bystander, who was relaxing in his hot tub when the crash occurred. “The boat went airborne and flipped before capsizing.”
The boat’s operator, an adult female, along with three juveniles, were among those transported to a local hospital for treatment. While the specific cause of the crash remains under investigation, initial reports suggest that an unintended throttle increase might have led to the collision.
As the vessel launched off a neighbor’s boat, nearby residents sprang into action, diving into the water to help pull people to safety. “It was a chaotic scene,” one rescuer recounted, emphasizing the urgency of the situation as they called for emergency assistance.
The FWC is currently piecing together the events leading up to the crash. Two investigators were seen on-site, interviewing witnesses to gather more information. Authorities are also attempting to contact the boat operator for further insight into the incident.
Despite the chaos, there were moments of relief. One witness noted that the docked vessel, which bore the brunt of the impact, may have prevented the runaway boat from causing further damage or injury. “I felt like that boat saved my life,” he admitted.
The incident has left the local community on edge, as questions linger about what exactly went wrong. For now, the conditions of those hospitalized remain unknown, as authorities continue their inquiries.
The FWC’s investigation is ongoing, and they urge anyone with information to come forward. Meanwhile, the waterway has returned to its usual calm, a stark contrast to the tumultuous events that unfolded.