BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Three people were taken to the hospital on Saturday after the collision of two vessels registered in the Merritt Island Boat Parade, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
FWC officers responded Saturday evening to reports that the two vessels had collided in Sykes Creek, the agency said in a statement.
Millions have watched video Instagram of a red jet boat which looks like it’s made out of the body of a Corvette crashing into another boat.
“Oh, my God,” a witness is heard saying when the boats collide.
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Rescuers reported one patient was pulled from the water that was not moving. Monday, the FWC said two of the patients were able to leave the hospital right away but did not confirm the health of the third patient. Don Wilson watched the parade Saturday night from his house on Sykes Creek.
He told News 6 reporter James Sparvero the red jet boat driver probably didn’t have a mechanical failure because he was driving recklessly earlier.
”He started further south on the creek, and he was doing donuts and driving recklessly, way over the speed limit here,” Wilson said. “Spinning around and he got too close to other boats and he crashed into one. It was obvious that it was going to happen, and it did very quickly,” the witness added.The annual boat parade is a tradition dating back decades and is normally known for happy memories.
“It was a surprise because we’ve been here for many, many years, like 25 years and we’ve seen the parade year after year, and this has never happened before,” Wilson said. “So it’s quite the exception.”
”Wilson said he hopes the driver of the jet boat will “pay a price”.
“Maybe go to a boating safety class, and then next time he’s out here boating, a little more respectful,” he said.
The FWC said it issued citations but wouldn’t say to who or what for.
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