HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Three people were taken to the hospital after a boat crashed into rocks along the Hillsborough River near Ignacio Haya Linear Park on Sunday night, authorities said.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, preliminary information showed that there were four people on a 19-foot vessel that was traveling on the Hillsborough River near Ignacio Haya Linear Park. The Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue all responded to the scene.
Steven Boyer was nearby when the crash happened around 11 p.m. Sunday. He said he heard people screaming and saw the boat before calling 9-1-1 and running to help.
"It was right about here, the boat was going back and forth, and they were screaming someone's name," Boyer said.
Boyer said two people went overboard. He jumped in to help one man, while a woman who was on board jumped in to help the other.
"The helicopter came over to give us some light, and the young lady jumped in the water," Boyer said. "It was just amazing that she actually jumped in the water, being pregnant, obviously, and finding the first victim."
Boyer said one of the men needed CPR.
"I ran over to help pull him out of the water or at least turn him over so that he could breathe," Boyer said.
Tea Louis, who lives in the area, said she woke up to the commotion.
"It was kind of scary. I honestly, I wasn't concerned for us. I was obviously concerned for the people involved in the accident," Louis said.
Louis said that in the four years she has lived here, she had never seen a boating accident like this one.
"We kind of walked down here, and then we saw like a row of 20 cop cars and two fire trucks and everything. It was kind of a crazy scene," Louis said.
Randy Lopez, a U.S. Coast Guard licensed 100-ton captain and retired Tampa Police officer who worked in the marine unit for about two decades, said it is not unusual to see boat activity at night on Memorial Day weekend. He said he saw his fair share of boating incidents during this time of year.
"This is where like we start identifying like the lack of skills because people haven't boated since last summer," Lopez said.
Lopez said nighttime boating on the Hillsborough River carries added risks.
"It can be treacherous. It can be a blast. It's easy to see during the day at night, not as, not as much," Lopez said. "It's reduced visibility, reduced reaction time, it's just a recipe for disaster."
Lopez said anyone who is not familiar with boating should take lessons and learn their equipment before heading out on the water.
"I love for everybody to be out there and get to enjoy the dolphin, the wildlife, the beauty, the peace of being out there on the water, but do me a favor, do it safely," Lopez said.
FWC officials said due to an active investigation, they could not comment on what caused the boat to crash or if alcohol was involved.
The crash remains an active investigation, and FWC said it would provide updates when available.
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