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.
Local News
29-Year-Old Alex Rodriguez Found Dead on University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, No Foul Play Suspected
URBANA, Ill. — A 29-year-old Champaign man found dead on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus Monday morning has been identified as Alex C. Rodriguez, according to the Champaign County Coroner’s Office.
The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) responded to the area of Green and Wright streets at approximately 6:42 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive person near the Alma Mater statue.
Officers arrived and found Rodriguez on a concrete bench. Emergency medical assistance was requested at the scene.
The Champaign County Coroner’s Office responded, and Rodriguez was pronounced dead at approximately 7:16 a.m., according to Coroner Laurie Brauer.
Authorities said Rodriguez was not affiliated with the University of Illinois.
UIPD provided an update Monday afternoon, saying preliminary observations at the scene revealed no signs of foul play.
Police also said there was no evidence of an ongoing threat to the university campus or surrounding community based on the information available when officers responded.
Because investigators did not identify an active threat, the university did not issue an Illini-Alert emergency notification.
The circumstances surrounding Rodriguez’s death have not been determined.
An autopsy has been scheduled, and the death remains under investigation by the University of Illinois Police Department.
Authorities have not released additional information about the circumstances leading to Rodriguez’s death.
The investigation remains ongoing, and additional details are expected as investigators receive further information from the autopsy and other evidence.
No foul play has been indicated based on the preliminary investigation.