1 teen dead, 5 injured in late-night Florida boat crash
(AP) — A small boat carrying six teenagers on a late-night river trip crashed into a bridge early Thursday, killing one and injuring the others onboard.
The 13-foot Boston Whaler was not owned by anyone directly related to them, but Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission spokeswoman Liz Barraco said the teens did have permission to use the vessel.
Early Thursday, the craft crashed into pilings under a bridge on the south fork of the river, which runs through a residential neighborhood in Fort Lauderdale.
Michael Cooper, who lives near the crash site, said he was getting ready for bed when he heard a "tremendous smack" outside.
Florida has no age limit for operating a boat, but Barraco said in an email that anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, must complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the state to operate a motorboat of 10 horsepower or greater.
The teen who was operating the boat had a card, but Barraco pointed out that passing the course wouldn't necessarily mean a person had the ability to operate a particular boat.