Pennsylvania

Teen Dies in Airboat Accident in Belle Glade: FWC

A teenager has died after he and his father were thrown from an airboat Wednesday in Palm Beach County, officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission say.

As reported by NBC affiliate WPTV, 14-year-old Colby Smith was on an airboat with his father Wednesday in the area of Torry Island Campground and Marina in Belle Glade. Witnesses tell WPTV that they saw the airboat flip over, sending the father and son into the water.

According to FWC, the father made it to shore, but Colby went under the water and was later found by divers with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.

Colby was taken to Lakeside Medical Center then flown by helicopter to St. Mary's Medical Center where he was later pronounced dead.

Investigators with FWC are investigating the cause of the accident. They say the father and son were not wearing life jackets.

The airboat was removed from the bottom of the canal Thursday.

Colby's family is raising funds via a GoFundMe page to help cover costs for a funeral in their home state of Pennsylvania.

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