Florida Everglades Airboat Crash Injures 14, Leaves One Pregnant Woman Hospitalized
Ochopee, Florida – A severe incident involving two airboats has left 14 people hospitalized, including a pregnant woman who sustained a broken tailbone. The crash occurred on December 13, 2023, around 3:10 p.m. at Wooten’s Airboat Tours, located in the Florida Everglades.
What Happened?
The collision involved two airboats carrying a total of 33 passengers, with one vessel accommodating 20 individuals and the other 13. Alyssa Windom, a United Airlines flight attendant who was seven months pregnant, was on the airboat with her 7-year-old son, AJ, and his football team from Pittsburg, California, when the incident took place. Windom described the scene immediately after the crash, saying, “The boat was wrecked, water was coming in, kids were screaming, blood everywhere, mud everywhere.”
Details of the Incident
According to Windom, the crash happened at a curve where two boats were approaching swiftly. “It was too late to react, respond,” she explained. After regaining consciousness, she found children in the water and recalled seeing the other boat perched on top of theirs. “I believe we were knocked out for a few seconds,” Windom added.
In a heroic act, Windom performed CPR on another mother she found “floating in the water,” before she started feeling intense pain and needed to distance herself from the chaotic scene. She was ultimately airlifted to a hospital, alongside a 3-year-old passenger, as authorities responded promptly to the crash.
Investigation and Response
The Greater Naples Fire Rescue District and the Collier County Sheriff’s Office participated in the rescue efforts. A preliminary investigation by the authorities confirmed the number of passengers and is ongoing, spearheaded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Windom was not the sole individual affected by the crash; she stated that her son is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the frightening incident, often expressing fears about flying. To help with medical bills and living expenses due to her inability to work, a GoFundMe page has been established by her family.
Reactions and Support
Wooten’s Everglades Airboat Tours, the operator of one of the collided vessels, expressed their sympathies in a statement, wishing for a speedy recovery for all affected. They stated, “All of us at Wooten’s offer our sincere sympathies to everyone involved.” However, further details regarding the incident have not been disclosed.
As the investigation continues, the focus remains on understanding the factors that led to this troubling accident, ensuring that such incidents do not repeat in the future. The community extends their support to those injured and affected, highlighting the importance of safety as a paramount concern in recreational activities like airboat tours.
