KEY WEST, Fla. — Coast Guard search and rescue coordinators in Key West received a call around 10 p.m. Saturday of a 24-foot open console vessel aground with four passengers aboard, one with a severe head injury, in Bahia Honda State Park, Fla.
The injured passenger, a 65-year-old male, suffered a severe head laceration when the vessel ran aground.
The Coast Guard responded immediately by launching a smallboat crew and emergency medical technician from Coast Guard Station Marathon, Fla., and an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew from Coast Guard Air Station Miami.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Tow Boat U.S. also responded by launching smallboat crews to assist.
Responding units stabilized the patient using a C-Collar and backboard. Tow Boat U.S. then took the patient aboard and transferred him to local Emergency Medical Services at Bahia Honda State Park. EMS evaluated the patient and he was sent to Miami via Life Flight for further care.
