Paul Maurer 2
Well-Known Member
Our neighbor's 6 year old son was killed Memorial Day while snorkeling with his dad and a friend. My wife knew the boy well from her nightly walk with our 1 year old and has been crying all day. I don't yet know who the driver was, but he also lives in the neighborhood. Heres the article:
KEY WEST — A boat allegedly driven by a Key West teen struck and killed a 6-year-old boy who was snorkeling around noon Monday near the north side of Stock Island, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers.
The names of the 6-year-old Key West resident and the teen were not released Monday evening pending notification of relatives.
According to FWC reports, the child's father had anchored his 22-foot vessel in open water near Sunset Marina and had properly posted a dive flag. The 6-year-old was snorkeling with his father and one other child "well within the required distance of the flag," said Lt. Steve Acton, spokesman for FWC. Divers and snorkelers are required by state law to stay within 300 feet of their posted dive flag on the open water and within 100 feet in navigation channels and inlets.
An 18-foot skiff traveling at high speed hit the 6-year-old boy and then went completely over the anchored vessel. His father and the other child were not injured.
Witnesses said the skiff stopped temporarily and then fled, with one of two teen boys on the boat holding his face as if he had suffered a head injury, said Acton.
An initial search of the area by FWC and Key West Police officers using vessels and aircraft failed to locate the hit-and-run skiff.
Two hours later, Lower Keys Medical Center officials reported to FWC that a teen boy had entered their emergency room seeking medical treatment for a head injury after having been involved in a boating accident. Investigators learned from the teen that the vessel being sought belonged to his friend and was tied at a dock behind a Key Haven home, Acton said. The vessel was located, and FWC investigators arrested the 13-year-old alleged operator of the skiff.
There is no minimum age for operating a boat in Florida. Under state regulations, however, anyone under 21 years old who operates a boat powered by a motor with 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety class and possess a photo identification and boater safety card issued by FWC. The requirement is waived if the young driver is accompanied by someone who is older than 21, or someone who is at least 18 years old and holds a boater education identification card.
Acton said most boating accidents are preventable if drivers stay alert to their surroundings.
"The tragic thing about this is it involved an anchored vessel," he said. "If you're paying attention, even at a high speed, chances are you can maneuver your boat away from something."
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Please boat safely......
KEY WEST — A boat allegedly driven by a Key West teen struck and killed a 6-year-old boy who was snorkeling around noon Monday near the north side of Stock Island, said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers.
The names of the 6-year-old Key West resident and the teen were not released Monday evening pending notification of relatives.
According to FWC reports, the child's father had anchored his 22-foot vessel in open water near Sunset Marina and had properly posted a dive flag. The 6-year-old was snorkeling with his father and one other child "well within the required distance of the flag," said Lt. Steve Acton, spokesman for FWC. Divers and snorkelers are required by state law to stay within 300 feet of their posted dive flag on the open water and within 100 feet in navigation channels and inlets.
An 18-foot skiff traveling at high speed hit the 6-year-old boy and then went completely over the anchored vessel. His father and the other child were not injured.
Witnesses said the skiff stopped temporarily and then fled, with one of two teen boys on the boat holding his face as if he had suffered a head injury, said Acton.
An initial search of the area by FWC and Key West Police officers using vessels and aircraft failed to locate the hit-and-run skiff.
Two hours later, Lower Keys Medical Center officials reported to FWC that a teen boy had entered their emergency room seeking medical treatment for a head injury after having been involved in a boating accident. Investigators learned from the teen that the vessel being sought belonged to his friend and was tied at a dock behind a Key Haven home, Acton said. The vessel was located, and FWC investigators arrested the 13-year-old alleged operator of the skiff.
There is no minimum age for operating a boat in Florida. Under state regulations, however, anyone under 21 years old who operates a boat powered by a motor with 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety class and possess a photo identification and boater safety card issued by FWC. The requirement is waived if the young driver is accompanied by someone who is older than 21, or someone who is at least 18 years old and holds a boater education identification card.
Acton said most boating accidents are preventable if drivers stay alert to their surroundings.
"The tragic thing about this is it involved an anchored vessel," he said. "If you're paying attention, even at a high speed, chances are you can maneuver your boat away from something."
[email protected]
Please boat safely......
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