7 hospitalized after 2 airboats crash on Peace River in DeSoto County

DESOTO COUNTY, Fla. —

Seven people were hospitalized after two commercial airboats crashed along the Peace River in DeSoto County on Tuesday.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the two airboat tours were traveling along the Peace River just north of the Lettuce Lake Boat Ramp when a collision occurred.

One operator and six passengers were on board one of the airboats. Officials said five of the people aboard were injured and taken to nearby hospitals.

The second airboat had one operator and two passengers on board. According to FWC, two people on board were taken to hospitals.

FWC said both airboats were commercial vessels and the U.S. Coast Guard is leading the ongoing investigation.

The DeSoto County Sheriff's Office and DeSoto County Fire Rescue also helped with the response to the incident.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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