Airboat overturns in St. Johns River in Christmas, officials say

CHRISTMAS, Fla. – Three people were taken to hospitals Tuesday after an airboat overturned in the St. Johns River near Christmas, officials said.

One person was flown as a trauma alert and two other passengers were transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center, officials said. Four other passengers refused to be taken to a hospital, officials said.

Captain Duke and another airboat operator from Midland Airboat Tours received a distress call that an airboat from another company had flipped over. They immediately responded and their quick actions might have saved the day.

Old Fashioned Airboats, the company that operates the boat, told News 6 on Wednesday that the incident was an accident. Old Fashioned Airboats opened for business Wednesday, the company said.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is investigating the incident.