An incident occurred earlier today near the Boca Chica Bridge in the Lower Keys where a lobster diver was struck by a boat propeller. According to WSVN, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office reported that the event took place around 8:00 a.m. Subsequently, the injured diver was brought to the Key Haven Boat Ramp and had to be airlifted to a Miami hospital for treatment. The transport involved Trauma Star, which necessitated a temporary blockage of U.S. 1 traffic at the Shark Key Bridge.
The diver, an adult male, was seriously enough affected to quickly be moved via Trauma Star to receive medical attention. As per a Facebook post by the Florida Keys Sheriff, the emergency helicopter landed on the Shark Key Bridge to facilitate the evacuation, causing disruptions on the major highway. The exact nature of the diver's injuries was not known at the time authorities released the information.
This mishap has brought to light the inherent risks associated with lobster diving, a practice common in the Florida Keys. The diver's condition following the accident remains unclear, and there have been no further updates regarding their recovery.
The authorities, specifically the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident. Details about what preceded the incident or the boat involved have yet to be publicly disclosed as the investigation continues to thoroughly unfold.
