This time of year in many parts of the United States, boating season is over and lakes and rivers freeze. For many throughout the country however, particularly those in warmer climates, there is no such thing as a boating season. Accordingly, boating accidents related to pleasure cruises do not take a break. One such accident occurred off the coast of Florida late last month. Two people were injured in the incident.

At the time of the accident the two people injured were the only occupants of the boat. The man and woman were reportedly hurt when their boat crashed into a seawall head-on. The seawall was located near Hallandale Beach, close to South Ocean Drive. It was dark at the time of the collision as the incident took place at 1:40 a.m.

The force of the collision threw the woman from the boat. The man remained on the boat however and was trapped inside the vessel as it began to sink. In an effort to slow the sinking, the rescue crews that arrived at the scene worked to pump water from the boat. Ultimately, responders from Hollywood Fire Rescue used chain saws to get the man out.

Both of the boat's occupants were taken to the Memorial Regional Hospital located in Hollywood. At that time the man's condition was listed as critical. The extent of the woman's injuries was unknown.

There are always many possible causes of an accident. What caused the boat to crash into the seawall is unknown. The accident is under investigation by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation.

Source: The Miami Herald, "Boat crash turns into frantic rescue for man trapped inside," Sarah Elder, Nov. 28, 2011