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Collier County, FL - A collision between two airboats in Collier County on Friday afternoon sent more than two dozen people to the hospital.
Authorities confirmed the crash occurred near Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours, located south of U.S. 41 East on the Tamiami Trail in Ochopee.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), one airboat carried 20 passengers, while the other had 13 on board when the collision occurred.
Aerial footage showed extensive damage to the front sections of both boats, with first responders arriving quickly to assist the injured.
Emergency crews transported 16 people, including children, to local hospitals for further evaluation, while several others were treated at the scene and released.
The exact conditions of the hospitalized individuals remain unknown as of Friday night.
Witnesses described the chaos, with one 911 dispatcher reporting that a person was trapped under one of the boats.
Aerial footage captured the scene, showing ambulances and gurneys lining the area as rescuers tended to the injured.
Wooten's Everglades Airboat Tours, a popular attraction offering airboat rides across 259 private acres, has not yet commented on the incident.
The exact location of the collision and the events leading up to it are still under investigation.
The FWC is taking the lead in determining what caused the crash and whether safety measures were followed.
This incident highlights the importance of safety protocols in high-tourism areas like the Everglades, where airboat tours are a frequent attraction for visitors.
As the investigation continues, authorities have urged caution in the area and reminded tour operators of the importance of prioritizing passenger safety.
