Crime & Public Safety
Two Airboats Collide in Western Broward Everglades; One Dead, One Critically Injured
Broward County, Florida — Two airboats collided in a remote section of the western Broward County Everglades, leaving one person dead and another critically injured, officials said.
The collision occurred in an area south of Interstate 75 and west of U.S. 27 in Broward County. Fire rescue crews and law enforcement responded to the scene after initial reports of the crash.
Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue reported crews were dispatched at about 6:19 p.m. Responders faced difficult terrain and limited access, prompting an extensive combined air and ground operation. Two Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopters were used to locate the victims and direct rescue teams; a BSO law enforcement helicopter conducted aerial reconnaissance while a BSFR Air Rescue helicopter reached the injured man.
After locating the critically injured man, the Air Rescue crew performed a hoist operation to remove him from the remote Everglades terrain. He was flown to Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood as a Level 1 trauma alert.
A second person sustained injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to fire rescue officials. Authorities said the response required coordination among fire rescue, law enforcement, aviation and airboat resources due to access challenges.
The circumstances surrounding the collision remain under investigation by the documented agencies, and officials have not released additional details about cause or identities.
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