Deadly airboat collision in Florida

A deadly airboat collision in the Florida Everglades left one person dead and another critically injured Friday, prompting a difficult emergency response in a remote area of western Broward County.

The crash involved two airboats near Mile Marker 38 along Interstate 75, according to authorities. Because of the isolated location in the Everglades, emergency crews faced challenging conditions while trying to reach the people involved.

One person was pronounced dead following the collision.

A second person suffered critical injuries and required an air rescue operation. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue crews used a helicopter and hoist to lift the injured person from the remote area before transporting the patient to Broward Health Medical Center as a Level 1 trauma alert.

Authorities have not yet released the identities of those involved.

Investigators are now working to determine what caused the two airboats to collide. Details about what happened immediately before the crash have not yet been made public.

Airboats are widely used throughout the Everglades, where shallow water, marshes and dense vegetation make conventional boats difficult to operate. But the same remote environment can make emergency responses particularly complicated when serious accidents occur.

The investigation into Friday’s fatal collision remains ongoing, and additional information is expected as authorities determine exactly what led to the crash.