Boat explosion blast flings people into sea as 15 rushed to hospital with horror burns
At least 15 people were rushed to hospital, including two children, after a charter boat exploded while out in waters near Haulover Sandbar in Biscayne Bay, Miami, Florida
ned audio of the dispatch calls between base and first responders at the scene, there was a state of confusion when rescuers arrived.
The dispatcher attempted to determine how many people were injured, with the firefighter responding: “They keep coming…. we just aren’t sure right now.”
The audio confirmed that multiple people suffered burns. Some were catapulted into the water by the explosion and were rescued by fire-crew lifeboats.
The injured were then hurried to nearby fuel docks to be transported to emergency trauma centres, with some airlifted to hospital. Some were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital’s Ryder Trauma Centre and Burn Centre, the paper reported.
View 4 Images
A seasoned boat captain who witnessed the horror incident unfold theorised the explosion may have been caused by a gas leak, which resulted in an explosion when the boat’s ignition turned over(Image: WPLG Local 10)
The Miami Herald confirmed the vessel as a Press Cruiser 400 Express, a 40-foot cabin cruiser named Nauti Nabors, from Texas.
South Florida boat skipper Patrick Lee witnessed the terrifying incident unfold. He was ferrying passengers via his tiki boat to a larger craft, which was anchored out on waters near the Haulover Sandbar, when the blast erupted nearby.
“We saw three people fly out of the boat,” he said. Lee said the vessel was engulfed in flames within minutes, adding that several people were carried away on stretchers by paramedics.
View 4 Images
A helicopter was involved in the rescue(Image: WSVN 7)
“I just saw a lot of them with burns all over them, and I said that it’s a hot fire,” Lee said. “It is quick, but it’s high octane gasoline, and so a lot of them got burnt, and it was an explosion.”
The boat skipper of more than 50 years suggested to local news that the blast was likely caused by exhaust fans that were not switched on, causing gas fumes to become trapped on board. When the boat ignition was turned over, it triggered the explosion, he speculated. He added he had based his assessment on what he had witnessed and his decades of boating experience.
“[The captain’s] people got on board, he turned the key, didn’t open the hatches, and didn’t turn on the blowers – he blew people out of the boat,” he said.
He added: “That’s the worst thing, [it was totally] preventable. I find most tragedies are from a lack of education. Many people out here shouldn’t be operating boats.” A passenger who was on-board during the blast, Leo, also told the Miami Herald that a gas leak caused the explosion. Leo, who chose not to disclose his surname and was unharmed, added: “It was the worst experience of my life.”
According to dispatch audio logs, fire crews suggested the explosion might have originated from the boat’s fuel tank.
Fire and rescue officials have since issued a public statement, with the boat explosion serving as a stark reminder for the public to “prioritise [their] safety while out on the water”.
Article continues below
In a statement, the Miami fire service advised: “Make sure your vessel is equipped with a working fire extinguisher and all required safety equipment. Before departure, perform a thorough safety check to ensure your boat is in good working condition and free of potential hazards. Taking a few extra precautions can help prevent emergencies and keep everyone safe.”
The explosion and subsequent boat fire are now under official investigation by the authorities, who have yet to determine the cause. The boat’s captain managed to escape the terrifying incident unscathed, both from the blast and the ensuing fire.
News
The last person to speak with James “Weston” Higginbotham has spoken out. It is understood that investigators have asked this person to accurately recount a brief 10-word exchange that took place just before his trip
The investigation into the tragic death of 20-year-old James “Weston” Higginbotham has reached yet another emotionally charged milestone as the last person to speak with him has broken their silence, revealing details of a brief but haunting exchange that occurred only hours before the family departed for Japan. What was planned as a joyful celebration […]
James “Weston” Higginbotham’s family shared that investigators recently questioned him about a diary. They hope a short passage from the notebook will hold the key to unlocking the intense inner struggle he has been trying to conceal for so long
Chilling ChatGPT History Revealed: Mother Uncovers Dark Secret in Weston Higginbotham’s Final Days Before Japan Disappearance. The disappearance of 20-year-old Auburn University student James “Weston” Higginbotham has taken a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing turn. What began as a family vacation in Japan ended in tragedy, but new revelations from his mother about his private ChatGPT […]
Weston’s search history before venturing into the Japanese mountains is filled with shocking details that have left his family stunned
Chilling ChatGPT History Revealed: Mother Uncovers Dark Secret in Weston Higginbotham’s Final Days Before Japan Disappearance. The disappearance of 20-year-old Auburn University student James “Weston” Higginbotham has taken a heartbreaking and deeply disturbing turn. What began as a family vacation in Japan ended in tragedy, but new revelations from his mother about his private ChatGPT […]
Katie’s arduous life, a 27-year-old woman, ended tragically at a bus stop—where she was waiting for her bus to her second job
Tragedy in the Okanogan: The Mysterious River Incident Involving Matt Brown of ‘Alaskan Bush People’ A witness reportedly watched a man drift face-down in the river before disappearing beneath the water. Hours later, Bear Brown received a call that changed everything. In the rugged landscapes of northern Washington state, where the Okanogan River cuts through […]
The sister of a victim in the The Crash movie crash has spoken out in strong criticism after Mackenzie Shirilla unexpectedly received a lot of public attention
Sister of “The Crash” victim infuriated by Mackenzie Shirilla’s newfound fame: ‘She’s loving every second’ “It’s exactly what she’s always wanted,” says Dominic Russo’s sister Christine of his girlfriend and convicted murderer. ‘The Crash’ documentary subject Mackenzie Shirilla Credit: Netflix Key Points Christine Russo, sister of The Crash victim Dominic Russo, is infuriated the Netflix documentary has […]
In a tragic incident that has devastated a community and sparked outrage over road safety, 27-year-old Katie Janeth Osorio was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver while waiting for a bus to her second job
In a tragic incident that has devastated a community and sparked outrage over road safety, 27-year-old Katie Janeth Osorio was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver while waiting for a bus to her second job. The young woman, described by friends and family as hardworking and full of life, was standing at a routine bus […]
End of content
No more pages to load
