JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Two boats crashed during the Jacksonville Grand Prix of the Sea on the St. Johns River on Saturday afternoon, sending four people to the hospital.
Units are responding to an overturned boat near Memorial Park....there are multiple injuries with at least one being serious.....more crews on the way
— MyJFRD (@JFRDJAX) June 2, 2018
One of the people hurt was a Central Florida firefighter and he has reportedly died, Action News Jax learned Saturday night.
Sanford Fire Department said in a Facebook post that Lieutenant Mike Salber died after a boat crash today. His Facebook says he raced on the Rapid Building Solutions powerboat that crashed in Jacksonville.
Sanford Fire Department says Lieutenant Mike Salber died after a boat crash today. His Facebook says he raced on the Rapid Building Solutions powerboat that crashed in #Jacksonville @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/pxwFCRpJuw
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 3, 2018
This is the post by Sanford Fire Department about the loss of one of their own @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/DCUFXQ4RAE
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 3, 2018
Powerboat P1 director told Action News Jax's Brittney Donovan that it wasn't clear why the boats crashed during the third race of the day.
The other boat involved in the crash was the Frank and Al's Pizza boat.
One of the boats flipped during the collision and Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department said at least one person was seriously hurt.
Witnesses say these are the two boats that crashed during the #Jacksonville Grand Prix. They say 3 people were hurt @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/hlSQckEtty
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 2, 2018
Race coordinators did not have information about the other racers' conditions shortly after the crash and did not respond to calls and texts for updates.
The remaining races Saturday were canceled.
Powerboat P1 director tells me 4 people were taken to the hospital after two boats collided during one of the races. Race coordinators are waiting for an update from the hospital @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/uJfHsZIjw8
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 2, 2018
He says the two boats involved were not out of #Jacksonville. Races for the rest of the day are canceled @ActionNewsJax https://t.co/bENpZYTDaE
— Brittney Donovan (@brittneyANjax) June 2, 2018
Raw viewer video: Boat collision on the St. Johns RiverBOAT CRASH: A viewer shared this video of a boat collision during Jax Grand Prix of the Sea on the St. Johns River. Four people were taken to the hospital; we are working to get an update on their conditions: http://bit.ly/2J8QFRT
Posted by Action News Jax on Saturday, June 2, 2018
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