Local News
Mass Casualty Incident Reported Following Airboat Crash in Ochopee, Florida
At least 16 people were hospitalized Friday afternoon after two airboats collided in Florida Everglades, investigators said.
A serious airboat crash involving multiple injuries has occurred near Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours, located at 32330 Tamiami Trail E in Ochopee, southern Collier County.
The incident, reported at approximately 3:08 PM, involved a collision between two airboats carrying passengers.
Authorities have declared a Level 2 Mass Casualty Incident due to the severity and scale of the situation.
Early reports indicate that up to 12 people were on board the vessels at the time of the crash.
At least two individuals are critically injured, and one person is reportedly trapped beneath one of the overturned airboats.
Emergency crews from multiple agencies are on the scene, working tirelessly to rescue the trapped individual and provide critical medical care to those injured.
Several air rescue helicopters have been requested to assist in transporting victims to area hospitals for advanced treatment.
The circumstances leading to the crash remain under investigation by local authorities. Residents and visitors are urged to avoid the area to allow emergency responders to operate efficiently.
Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available. Anyone with knowledge of the incident or its contributing factors is encouraged to contact local law enforcement.
JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. — Authorities have identified the woman killed in a fatal crash Monday morning that also left a child injured in Jefferson County.
According to the Jefferson County Coroner’s Office, the victim has been identified as 32-year-old Erica Nicole Austin, a resident of Birmingham.
The collision occurred early Monday morning and involved a passenger vehicle and a dump truck, said Center Point Fire District Chief Brandon Dahlen.
Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash was reported.
Upon arrival, first responders found Austin critically injured. Despite efforts to assist, she was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:46 a.m.
A child who was traveling with Austin sustained injuries in the collision and was transported by Center Point Fire and Rescue to Children’s of Alabama for treatment. The child’s condition has not been released.
The driver of the dump truck was not injured, officials confirmed.
The impact of the collision led to a complete closure of the roadway for approximately five hours as authorities worked to investigate the scene and clear the wreckage.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office Traffic Accident Reconstruction Team is leading the investigation to determine the circumstances that led to the deadly crash.
No additional details have been released at this time.