Memorial Day Parasailing Excursion Turns Deadly After Captain Cut the Line
A Memorial Day parasailing excursion killed one woman and injured two children after a gust of wind caught the chute, causing it to drag the vessel towing it. The captain–likely in an effort to stop the drag–allegedly cut the line of the parasail, sending the passengers into a nearby bridge. The fatal parasailing accident is still being investigated.
At Mase Mebane Seitz, we represent individuals who have been hurt or lost a loved one in parasailing and boating accidents. Our knowledgeable legal team has recovered millions on behalf of injury victims and their families. If you were injured in a Florida parasailing accident, contact our office at (305) 487-8863 for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Deadly Parasailing Accident
According to The Washington Post, a 33-year-old woman was killed after the captain of the boat towing her parasail cut the line. The parasail, which also carried her 10-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew, was caught by a gust of wind causing it to drag the boat. The captain reportedly cut the line to prevent the drag and attempt to “catch” the passengers as they fell.
With the line tethering the parasail to the boat severed, the passengers reportedly dropped an unknown distance into the water. The wind then carried the chute into the Old Seven Mile Bridge. The collision left the young mother dead and the two boys injured. The 9-year-old was unconscious at the time that help arrived and was later transported to a local hospital.
The fatal incident is being investigated by the United States Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
What to Do After a Parasailing Accident
As noted in The Washington Post article, parasailing experts say that a captain should never cut the tether line. There are other methods to help prevent the vessel from being dragged by the parachute during high winds.
If you are involved or witness a parasailing accident, you need to seek medical help immediately. Call local law enforcement and offer assistance to anyone that is injured. Once you are able, you should consider consulting with a recreational boating accident attorney. Many accidents are preventable and caused by negligence, inexperience, or wrongdoing.
An attorney can help investigate whether a party can be held legally responsible for your injuries, including if the parasailing company opted to take customers during inclement weather such as high winds or if they operated in an unsafe manner.
Contacting a Parasailing Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a parasailing accident, contact our office at (305) 487-8863 for a free consultation. Discuss your case directly with a skilled attorney today.
Our legal team has over 100 years of combined experience and will work tirelessly to get you the results you deserve. We are trial lawyers dedicated to holding negligent parties responsible for their wrongdoing. Never settle for less than your case is worth; call now to get started.