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Anonymous
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Jul 7, 2005
Teen hurt in area holiday boat accident
An Archer teenager is continuing to recover from an airboat accident that occurred over the holiday weekend.
The 15-year-old's injuries were among the most severe of those inflicted in boating accidents still under investigation by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers in the 17-county North Florida region.
Brandon Hughes was injured at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday near Deer Island along the Levy County coastline, according to FWC spokeswoman Karen Parker.
Hughes was a passenger on a 2004 Hartline airboat being driven by a man identified as family friend - Carlos C. Lester II, 44, of Morriston. Investigators said Lester apparently made a sudden move to avoid a sandbar and Hughes was thrown from his seat in the airboat.
Lester was not injured when the airboat rolled onto its left side but Hughes had to be airlifted by a Coast Guard helicopter to Shands at the University of Florida where he was still being treated Wednesday for head, neck and facial injuries, Parker said.
Hughes was arrested and charged with boating under the influence. He was booked into the Levy County Jail and subsequently posted bond, officials said.
FWC Regional Commander Major Calvin Adams said he directed his officers to target boating safety and BUI enforcement over the holiday.
"Our officers in the North Central Region have recently undergone refresher training in how to detect impaired boaters," Adams said.
Teen hurt in area holiday boat accident
An Archer teenager is continuing to recover from an airboat accident that occurred over the holiday weekend.
The 15-year-old's injuries were among the most severe of those inflicted in boating accidents still under investigation by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers in the 17-county North Florida region.
Brandon Hughes was injured at about 7:30 p.m. Saturday near Deer Island along the Levy County coastline, according to FWC spokeswoman Karen Parker.
Hughes was a passenger on a 2004 Hartline airboat being driven by a man identified as family friend - Carlos C. Lester II, 44, of Morriston. Investigators said Lester apparently made a sudden move to avoid a sandbar and Hughes was thrown from his seat in the airboat.
Lester was not injured when the airboat rolled onto its left side but Hughes had to be airlifted by a Coast Guard helicopter to Shands at the University of Florida where he was still being treated Wednesday for head, neck and facial injuries, Parker said.
Hughes was arrested and charged with boating under the influence. He was booked into the Levy County Jail and subsequently posted bond, officials said.
FWC Regional Commander Major Calvin Adams said he directed his officers to target boating safety and BUI enforcement over the holiday.
"Our officers in the North Central Region have recently undergone refresher training in how to detect impaired boaters," Adams said.