Snorkeler hospitalized after being struck by boat in Keys during lobster miniseason
A snorkeler was seriously injured after being struck by a 19-foot Stratos boat in the Florida Keys Wednesday morning, the first day of the lobster miniseason, according to authorities.
The incident occurred around 8 a.m. off Big Coppitt Key in the Lower Keys, said Kristen Livengood, Monroe County Fire Rescue spokeswoman. He was diving for lobster near the Boca Chica Bridge, added Adam Linhardt, spokesman for Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Paramedics flew the man, 20-year-old Sean Steven Bender of Seminole, , to a Miami-Dade hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries, according to Florida Fish and and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Arielle Callender.
“This is an active investigation,” said Callender. “No further information is available at this time.”
Wednesday was the first of the two-day lobster miniseason that sees divers, snorkelers and boaters head to South Florida and the Keys to catch spiny lobster ahead of the regular recreational and commercial season that runs from Aug. 6 through March 31.
The event keeps police, firefighters and the Coast Guard busy.
The sheriff’s office on Wednesday also rescued four people from a sinking boat around 11:30 a.m. near mile marker 39.
Linhardt said no one was injured.
In Miami-Dade County, a diver went temporarily missing after his boat was found capsized near Government Cut Wednesday morning, according to Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue.
That diver was found safe aboard another boat, the department said.
READ MORE: Boat ramps full as anglers take advantage of extra day of lobster miniseason
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
This story was originally published July 24, 2024 at 10:42 AM.
