A leisurely day on the water turned tragic in southwest Florida when a high-speed boat capsized on the Caloosahatchee River, near the Cape Coral Yacht Club, resulting in the deaths of three individuals and leaving another hospitalized. Eyewitnesses described the incident as "chaotic" and akin to an "airborne collision."
Reports indicate that a 39-foot MTI speedboat overturned between 4 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, ejecting all four occupants into the water. Two individuals died at the scene, while a third was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The Coast Guard found the body of the fourth victim the following day after an extensive multi-agency search operation.
An onlooker, who witnessed the accident from the shore, told WSVN that the boat was moving "at full throttle" and lifted into the air for several seconds before crashing back into the water. "I saw the impact, water was everywhere. It was pandemonium," the witness recounted to the New York Post.
According to Gulf Coast News, the deceased were identified as Brenna Millett, Rebecca King/Knight, and Neal Kirby, all of whom were immediately taken to the hospital post-accident. Millett and King succumbed to their injuries hours later, while Kirby remains in a critical yet stable condition.
The fourth occupant, 60-year-old Craig Millett, was missing overnight until divers recovered his body the next morning near the accident site.
Trenton Zamniak, a fellow boater nearby, was among the first to offer assistance. "The boat tilted about 90 degrees and slid backward," he recounted. Moments later, he and his friends found an unconscious man floating in the water. "He was expelling a lot of saltwater and struggling to breathe. We began CPR until rescuers arrived," he told Gulf Coast News. "We were at the right place, at the right time, to help someone in need."
Investigation Continues into the Boating Tragedy
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), as reported by News Press of the USA TODAY Network, the precise cause of the capsizing remains unknown. No other vessels were involved, and authorities are still determining who was operating the boat at the time.
A witness informed Fox 4 that the speedboat was traveling between 75 and 80 miles per hour, though this has yet to be officially confirmed. FWC spokesperson Bradley Johnson noted that the boat's engines appeared to have detached during the impact, and strong winds, gusting up to 22 mph, may have affected the boat's trajectory and visibility.
The search and rescue operation involved multiple emergency agencies, including the Lee County Sheriff's Office, Cape Coral Police and Fire Departments, and maritime units from Sanibel, Matlacha, Iona McGregor, and the Coast Guard.
The FWC continues to investigate the incident to uncover the circumstances that led to the rapid overturning of a high-performance vessel on what many considered a typical day of boating.
FAQs on the Florida Boating Tragedy
What caused the boating accident in Florida?
The exact cause of the boating accident remains under investigation. However, high speeds and strong winds may have contributed to the incident.
Who were the victims of the Florida boat accident?
The victims were Brenna Millett, Rebecca King/Knight, Neal Kirby, and Craig Millett. Brenna Millett and Rebecca King died shortly after the accident, while Neal Kirby remains in critical condition. Craig Millett's body was recovered the following day.
What agencies were involved in the search and rescue operation?
The search and rescue operation involved the Coast Guard, Lee County Sheriff's Office, Cape Coral Police and Fire Departments, and maritime units from Sanibel, Matlacha, and Iona McGregor.