1 hurt in 'horrific' boat crash at Sandsprit Park in Stuart, off-duty deputy steps in to help

MARTIN COUNTY — At least two people were involved in a two-boat collision near Sandsprit Park on Tuesday that a witness described as a "horrific crash."

The crash was reported about 11:30 a.m. in the area of Hell's Gate in the St. Lucie River, according to Martin County Fire Rescue and Sheriff's Office officials.

Off-duty sheriff's marine Deputy Michael Libasci said he heard the boats crash while he was fishing and went to assist.

"I guess there were some vessels that were converging on each other, as I had already passed, and I heard a very large collision," he said. "There was no mistaking it."

He said he saw a boat that was capsized or appeared to be capsized.

"I just immediately turned around to try and see if everyone was OK," he said.

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Libasci said nobody was thrown out of either of the boats as a result of the crash, but one person was hurt badly.

"He needed immediate help," Libasci said. "It was a horrific crash and the vessels were damaged considerably. It was a scary thing to have to witness."

He said he tried to help the man with slowing the bleeding down and keeping the man's airway open until help arrived.

Libasci said a man in the other vessel said he wasn't hurt badly in the crash.

When Libasci pulled up to Sandsprit Park, he said the person he was helping was conscious but not alert, and that he had a pulse and was breathing.

Jose Abrigo, 52, who witnessed the crash, said one of the men taken to the hospital “looked unconscious and they had to perform CPR.”

A large portion of Sandsprit Park remained blocked off by yellow caution tape for a good portion of Tuesday afternoon as Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials walked around the boats involved. FWC is investigating the crash.

Both people involved in the crash were taken to hospitals, said Carol Lyn Parrish, FWC spokeswoman.

No information was available on the cause of the crash or the identity of those involved.

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