Several Hospitalized In Airboat Crash Near Parkland

PARKLAND (CBSMiami) - An airboat crash near Parkland injured several people.

The crash happened off Loxahatchee Road in the Everglades in the Francis S. Taylor Wildlife area.

Chopper 4 over the scene spotted flames and smoke coming from an airboat that was on its side and appeared to have damage on its right side.

Friday morning state wildlife officials tell CBS4 the boat was filled with tourists checking out the Everglades when suddenly there was a violent crash.

"Preliminary information suggests we had two airboats collide out in our wildlife Management area," said FWC Officer Tyson Matthews. "The information we have suggests these two commercial airboats, it was a tour," he said.

Investigators tell us this airboat with the orange seats was involved.

They're trying to figure out exactly what happened in the shallow water of the glades.

People who saw the damaged boat were shocked by the extent of the damage.

"It looks like it rammed it right in the side. It's weird how it's right in the middle of the boat, it looks like," said Bill McKenna, who airboats frequently in the area.

Investigators said fortunately no one was killed, but there were injuries.

"We have 4 individuals that were transported to the hospital. Boating accidents can be violent. We do have injuries. Thank God we had quick responders out here," Matthews said.

This comes as tourists and locals flock to the waterways in both the Everglades and the ocean.

FWC warning to be on alert when you're out on the water.

"The waters can be busy, we just ask that everybody do their due diligence, maintain a proper look out, operate the boat sober, let somebody know where you are going," Tyson said.