Miami, Aug 15 (EFE).- The Wild Florida natural and animal park, located in the center of this state of the United States, reported on Tuesday the suspension until further notice of its popular airboat tours in the Everglades, after two airboats collided on Monday and 13 people They had to be hospitalized, two of them seriously.
Airboat rides at Wild Florida are temporarily unavailable. Our Gator Park and Safari Park remain open to guests and can be reserved online or in person,” the company noted on its website.
The incident occurred at noon yesterday at Cypress Lake, located in Osceola County, about 40 miles (64 km) south of Orlando.
According to the Coast Guard, a total of 30 people were traveling on the two airboats, although it is still unknown how exactly the propeller-powered boats collided, as well as the ages and identity of the victims.
According to local media, two people were airlifted to HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, while the remaining injured were taken by ambulance to area hospitals for treatment.
Wild Florida indicated in a statement that it “fully cooperates” in the investigation of the event carried out by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Coast Guard and other agencies and local and state authorities.
The safari and wildlife park, popular for its airboat rides, alligator shows and a zoo, added that it is conducting its own internal investigation to find out what caused the incident.
According to an expert told the local channel WKMG TV, these types of accidents are more common than people imagine in this area of the Everglades, since there are “many blind spots” in the area when “getting into tall grass and not to see what is on the other side.
The company notes on its website that airboat rides, a Coast Guard-approved vessel, are “an excellent way (…) to experience a nature reserve from a new perspective” and to appreciate the “plenty of animals and plants that make up the Everglades ecosystem.”
“Every time you get out on the water, you’ll see and experience something different” with the “experienced captains” of our airboats “spotting alligators, eagles and other wildlife in the waterways near Wild Florida,” he says.
And he adds that “safety is our top priority when we run our airboat tours,” which is why they provide life jackets and hearing protection for each traveler.
