Powerboat crashes in racing championship off Key West. At least one hospitalized
At least one person was taken to the hospital after a vessel taking part in an annual powerboat race off Key West crashed Wednesday morning, according to the police.
It was not immediately known if the person was a member of the racing boat’s crew. Key West police spokeswoman Alyson Crean confirmed the person was hospitalized and was being evaluated to possibly be flown to a mainland hospital for treatment.
The boat was participating in the Race World Offshore World Championship, which ends Sunday. Some of the boats can reach speeds of up to 160 mph, according to the Monroe County Tourist Development Council.
“A portion of the challenging 4.4-mile-per-lap course runs through Key West Harbor, meaning smooth water where racers can achieve breathtaking speeds and fans can watch from vantage points that are extraordinarily close to the action,” the TDC said in a press release about the race.
Representatives with Race World Offshore have not returned emailed and phone messages for comment.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Agency, which typically investigates boat crashes, nor the Coast Guard, investigate accidents at league-sanctioned races, sources with those agencies said.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published November 8, 2023 at 12:10 PM.
