Arcadia boat crash leaves multiple injured

ARCADIA, Fla. - The Desoto County Sheriff's Office confirmed Tuesday afternoon that there was a report of a boat crash near Lettuce Lake Boat Ramp in Arcadia. 

Florida Fish and Wildlife reported that both boats involved were commercially operated.

Captain Kevin Chepren shared exclusive video with WINK News of one person being airlifted to the hospital by first responders, and also saying he saw others who were injured and transported by ambulance. 

"I had heard that there had been an air boat collision about a half mile up the river, and two air boats collided, and there was people injured. One air boat was disabled, could not make it back on its own, the other air boat came back with the injured. They had one lady on a stretcher on the air boat, and they placed her neck brace she had on, and they put her into an ambulance here, the other people had their wrapped up arms. I heard there was broken ribs, a broken arm, and the lady that got injured was a head trauma, and that's when they put her in Bay flight. Bay flight came shortly after the helicopter landed right here in the parking lot, and she left in Bay flight."

WINK News reporter Zoe Warner reached out to the US Coast Guard and FWC several times for more details. Both agencies say they have no additional information to share at this time. 

However, Captain Kevin Chepren says he hopes those involved are able to recover quickly and safely, and boaters to be reminded of safety, especially on the Myakka Peace River. 

"It's a beautiful river, the Peace River. There's a lot of tight corners, a lot of narrow passages. You have to really pay attention. You have to pay attention when you're out there, because it does happen. I've had a lot of close calls myself, but just, thank God everybody's okay."