Florida Keys

Man hospitalized after leg cut by boat propeller in Florida Keys, Coast Guard says

Monroe County’s Trauma Star helicopter flew an 18-year-old man to Jackson South Medical Center Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, after he was injured by a boat propeller while swimming in the Florida Keys.
Monroe County’s Trauma Star helicopter flew an 18-year-old man to Jackson South Medical Center Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025, after he was injured by a boat propeller while swimming in the Florida Keys. Miami Herald File

A man was hospitalized after being struck by a boat propeller while swimming in the Florida Keys Wednesday, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

The incident happened shortly after noon in a channel off the ocean side near Windley Key in the Upper Keys. Petty Officer Diana Sherbs said crews from Coast Guard Station Islamorada took him to shore to waiting paramedics.

A crewman was heard on emergency radio traffic saying the 18-year-old jumped off the back of the boat and was cut by the prop on his lower left leg. He also suffered less serious injuries to his upper left leg and right leg, the crew member told a dispatcher.

Monroe County Fire Rescue paramedics airlifted him to Jackson South Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition Wednesday afternoon, said agency spokeswoman Kristen Livengood.

This istory will be updated as more information becomes available.

David Goodhue
Miami Herald
David Goodhue covers the Florida Keys and South Florida for FLKeysNews.com and the Miami Herald. Before joining the Herald, he covered Congress, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Energy in Washington, D.C. He is a graduate of the University of Delaware. 
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER