ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — A teenager died after he and another teen were ejected out of a boat in St. Petersburg, authorities said Monday.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said multiple agencies responded to a boating incident near Bayshore Boulevard in St. Petersburg at around 4:30 p.m.
According to an FWC release, an 18-foot boat operated by Christian Tharakan, 15, crashed into a dock, throwing him and another teenager, Collin Moorefield, into the water.
First responders found Christian and took him out of the water. A good Samaritan and St. Petersburg police officer found Collin shortly afterward.
“At the very beginning, prior to all of the rescue vehicles arriving, we were asking some boats to slow down and help us look for the second person,” witness Alexis Carlon said. “Our neighbors got in their kayaks and were kayaking underneath the dock.”
The boat itself was found four houses down near a different dock after the initial dock.
“My husband jumped our fence and stopped the boat,” Carlon said. “He was able to pull the trottle down,”
The FWC said both teens were taken to a hospital, but Collin died of his injuries. Christian suffered with non-life-threatening injuries, according to officials.
“The young boy who was able to be recovered immediately, I actually talked to his dad last night and just hugged him and told him that he’s, he’s safe,” Carlon said.
“We would like to express our condolences to the Moorefield family and ask that the public give the family space during this difficult time.” said Major Evan Laskowski, Southwest Regional Commander. “As a father myself, I can only begin to imagine the pain they are experiencing right now. I want them to know we are thinking and praying for them during this time.”
The incident remains under investigation.
