Boat Capsizes on St. Johns River in Florida, Leaving Four Dead

In a tragic incident on the St. Johns River in Florida, a boat capsized, resulting in the deaths of four individuals. The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon, when a group of seven people was out on the water near the city of Palatka. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the boat, which was a 16-foot vessel, flipped over, causing its passengers to be thrown into the river.

Emergency services were quick to respond to the scene, with multiple agencies, including the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and the FWC, launching a rescue operation. Three of the passengers were rescued and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. However, four others were found deceased in the water, and their bodies were recovered by rescue teams.

The cause of the capsizing is still under investigation, but preliminary reports suggest that the boat may have been overloaded, contributing to its instability. The FWC has stated that it will conduct a thorough examination of the vessel and the circumstances surrounding the incident to determine the exact cause.

This tragic event has left the community in mourning, and local authorities have expressed their condolences to the families of the victims. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of safety precautions when engaging in water activities, and the need for proper maintenance and adherence to capacity limits on boats.

• Florida
• FWC
• Putnam County
• St. Johns River

Detailed

Capsized Boat Near Jacksonville, Fla., Leaves 1 Dead and 3 Missing

2 weeks ago

- nytimes