Snorkelers Killed In Florida

[scuba Widow]

Just found this article today:

TAVERNIER, Fla. -- Two snorkelers from Orlando died in separate accidents during the busy Labor Day weekend in the Florida Keys, officials said Sunday.Omar J. Viera, 31, of Orlando, died Saturday after he was run over by a 25-foot vessel while snorkeling off a boat in the Atlantic Ocean near Bahia Honda State Park, said Officer Bobby Dube, spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.The operator of the 25-foot boat told officials he didn't see Viera's dive flag until it was too late and tried to veer away before feeling a thump underneath.Viera suffered two severe propeller wounds to his head. He was taken ashore to the state park where he died. Dube said Viera's dive flag was improperly displayed because it was too small and not visible by 360 degrees. Charges are pending for the boat operator.Also Saturday, another man from Orlando died while snorkeling for lobster on a vacation to celebrate his wedding anniversary.Matthew Kleber, 37, was found on the ocean bottom less than two miles off Islamorada, Dube said. He was holding on to a rope tied to a 24-foot boat being driven by his wife when he disappeared, Dube said.Tourists flocked to the island chain for the holiday weekend, posing a challenge for authorities who must keep order and respond to emergencies on land and at sea.Aside from the two deaths, officers also were involved in a complicated rescue attempt when a 20-foot boat plunged 70 feet into a patch of mangroves near Tavernier Creek, Dube said.Four injured people were taken to hospitals after about 20 officers teamed up to rescue the group among twisted mangrove roots and foliage.Dube called Saturday the busiest day he's seen in 18 years. "It was just one thing after another," he said.

Copyright 2007 by WFTV.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[plot]

Any idea what happened to the 37yo man? He have medical problems or something?

[scuba Widow]

I am not sure I was looking at the local news from Florida where we used to live and found the article. I copied and pasted it like I found it. I think the story is tragic and my heart goes out to the families involved.

[Capt Hook]

So sad.
Never, ever dive or boat on a Holiday weekend!

[DivingsInMyBlood]

when i was doing my sailing over here we were always told to avoid boats not moving or at anchor due to swimmers in the water. I was snorkeling just off the shore of the lake today with a women on a jetski circling us at about 50 feet away going full throtle.

[Queen]

Originally Posted by Capt Hook

So sad.
Never, ever dive or boat on a Holiday weekend!

My heart goes out to the families and I agree 100% with your caveat.

[plot]

Originally Posted by DivingsInMyBlood

when i was doing my sailing over here we were always told to avoid boats not moving or at anchor due to swimmers in the water. I was snorkeling just off the shore of the lake today with a women on a jetski circling us at about 50 feet away going full throtle.

some idiot on a jetski on a lake decided to race back and forth and use our dive flag as a turning point every time... i would've liked to follow him back to the marina and set his jetski on fire.

[scuba Widow]

Originally Posted by plot

some idiot on a jetski on a lake decided to race back and forth and use our dive flag as a turning point every time... i would've liked to follow him back to the marina and set his jetski on fire.

finflippers has the same problem with boaters in this area and his flag...they see the flag and have to find out what it is.

[gtjason2000]

I don't get the snorkeling while being dragged by a boat incident.

[Black-Gorrilla]

Originally Posted by gtjason2000

I don't get the snorkeling while being dragged by a boat incident.

i was wondering that too... the man was being towed while snorkeling? who does that? did he get dragged under and stuck to something?