POLITICS: Boat driver in hit-and-run nearly amputates diver – USSA News

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – A diver is recovering from a serious leg injury after being struck by a boat in a hit-and-run incident off the coast near Oakland Park. Authorities are actively searching for the boat operator responsible for the collision, which occurred as the diver surfaced after exploring waters approximately a mile offshore.

The diver, a 29-year-old man, was participating in a routine dive when the accident occurred. As he emerged from 60 feet below the surface, an oncoming boat failed to notice the dive flag—a crucial safety signal indicating the presence of divers—and struck him. The boat’s propeller inflicted a deep gash in the man’s leg, nearly reaching the bone.

Witnesses on the beach initially mistook the injury for a shark attack, but it quickly became clear that a boat was involved. The diver’s friend, who was diving alongside him, managed to bring him ashore, where beachgoers swiftly applied a tourniquet and contacted emergency services. This prompt response was crucial in stabilizing the diver until medical personnel arrived.

Local authorities, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), are leading the investigation. They are seeking a white boat with a center console and outboard motors, estimated to be between 30 and 40 feet long. The vessel was last seen heading north with two individuals on board, neither of whom stopped to assist the injured diver.

Eyewitnesses reported that the boat’s occupants seemed indifferent to the distress signals from those on the diver’s vessel. Despite clear warnings and calls for help, the boat continued its course, ignoring the perilous situation it had caused.

Community members are urged to assist in the investigation by providing any relevant information or footage that could help identify the boat involved. The FWC has made a public appeal for witnesses to come forward, emphasizing the importance of boater vigilance and adherence to safety protocols to prevent such incidents.

This incident underscores the need for increased awareness and caution among boaters, particularly in areas frequented by divers. Safe boating practices and respect for dive flags are essential to ensuring the safety of those exploring the underwater world.

As the diver recuperates at Broward Health Medical Center, the search for the responsible parties continues. The FWC encourages anyone with information to contact them directly.