One killed in boating accident

DESTIN, Fla. (WALA) - What began as a beautiful day for four boaters out in the waters of Destin ended in tragedy after a boat accident turned fatal.

Authorities say two men and two women in a 30-foot long speed boat were cruising near Crab Island around 4:30 p.m. Saturday when the boat spun out of control. Officials say all four boaters hit the water after being ejected.

Numerous onlookers quickly moved in to help, pulling three of the victims to safety. Investigators say the two women ejected from the boat were taken to a local hospital. The names and conditions of the boaters have not been released

One of the men never surfaced prompting authorities from across the area to begin searching for him.

“The water depths where this occurred were somewhere between 10-13 feet. The body of the victim was found about 2 hours and 20 minutes after the accident,” said Stan Kirkland with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

They say two of the boaters were married and the other two were engaged.

“You know boating fatalities affect not only the victim but the survivors as well,” Kirkland said.

So far, it isn’t clear to authorities whether the accident is due to the driver or a boat malfunction.

Kirkland said, “Unfortunately Florida leads the country in boating fatalities, that’s why we always stress to stay safe and always wear your life jackets to avoid getting yourself into problems."