New Jersey Man Killed in Airboat Collision in Florida Everglades

A 32-year-old New Jersey man was killed after two airboats collided in the Florida Everglades, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The crash happened at approximately 6:20 p.m. Friday in the Francis S. Taylor Management Area in Broward County.

FWC identified the man who died as Alessandro Borgo. Authorities said Borgo was operating one of the airboats involved in the collision.

He was airlifted to a hospital following the crash but later died from his injuries. No other injuries were reported.

The circumstances that caused the two airboats to collide remain under investigation.

What Happened in the Everglades Airboat Crash?

According to FWC, two airboats were traveling through the wetlands of the Francis S. Taylor Management Area when they collided Friday evening.

There were five people between the two vessels.

One airboat carried an operator and one occupant. The second airboat carried an operator and two occupants.

Authorities said the operator of the airboat carrying two passengers was seriously injured in the collision. He was transported by air to a hospital, where he later died.

FWC subsequently identified him as 32-year-old Alessandro Borgo of New Jersey.

No injuries were reported among the four other people involved.

FWC Has Not Said What Caused the Airboats to Collide

The initial report does not explain how the two airboats came into contact.

Authorities have not released information about the direction each vessel was traveling, their speeds or the circumstances immediately preceding the collision.

It is also unclear whether environmental conditions, visibility, mechanical problems or operator actions played any role.

FWC said its investigation remains active.

Until investigators release additional findings, it would be premature to assign responsibility for the fatal collision.

Airboat Accidents Can Require a Detailed Investigation

Airboat crashes differ from ordinary motor vehicle accidents in several important ways.

Airboats are designed to travel through shallow water and marsh environments using an aircraft-style propeller rather than a submerged propeller. Investigating a collision can therefore require authorities to consider the particular operating characteristics of the vessels as well as the environment where the crash occurred.

When two vessels collide, investigators may examine their direction of travel, speed, maneuvering immediately before impact, visibility between the operators and whether either operator attempted to avoid the collision.

The condition of the vessels may also be examined if investigators have reason to believe equipment or mechanical issues could have contributed.

There is currently no information indicating that any particular factor caused this crash.

Determining Liability After a Fatal Recreational Boating Accident

When two vessels collide and someone is killed, determining civil liability generally requires establishing how the collision occurred and whether another person’s negligence contributed to the death.

Depending on the evidence, an investigation may examine whether either vessel operator failed to maintain a proper lookout, operated at an unsafe speed for the conditions or otherwise failed to use reasonable care.

Ownership of the vessels may also become relevant in some cases, particularly if an airboat was being operated commercially or on behalf of a business.

The available report does not state whether either airboat was privately owned or being used as part of a commercial operation.

The fact that two airboats collided does not, by itself, establish that either operator was negligent.

Potential Wrongful Death Claim After an Airboat Collision

Florida’s Wrongful Death Act, §§ 768.16 through 768.26, may provide a legal remedy when a person’s death is caused by another party’s negligence or wrongful conduct.

Whether such a claim exists following this collision will depend on what FWC’s investigation and other evidence establish about how the airboats collided.

If evidence ultimately shows that another operator or responsible party negligently caused or contributed to Borgo’s fatal injuries, his surviving family members may have potential rights under Florida law.

Potential damages in a wrongful death case depend on the circumstances of the death and the surviving family members who qualify under Florida law.

At this stage, however, FWC has not identified a cause or assigned responsibility for the crash.

Evidence That May Help Determine How the Collision Happened

Because there were multiple occupants aboard the two airboats, investigators may be able to obtain eyewitness accounts describing the moments before the collision.

Other potentially relevant evidence may include:

• Statements from the surviving operators and passengers
• Damage to both airboats
• Photographs and measurements of the vessels
• The location and orientation of the vessels following impact
• Available GPS or navigation information
• Maintenance and inspection records, if relevant
• Weather and visibility conditions
• Any photographs or videos captured before or during the trip
• Emergency response and dispatch records

Investigators may also examine the experience of the operators and the manner in which each vessel was being operated before the collision.

Commercial Airboat Operations Can Raise Additional Liability Questions

If either airboat was being operated by a tour company or another commercial business, additional legal issues could potentially arise.

Depending on the circumstances, an investigation could examine operator training, vessel maintenance, company safety procedures and whether an operator was acting within the scope of employment.

A business may potentially bear responsibility for the negligent conduct of an employee in certain circumstances.

However, the initial FWC report does not state that either vessel was part of a commercial airboat operation. There is currently no basis to conclude that a company was involved or legally responsible.

FWC Continues to Investigate Fatal Everglades Airboat Collision

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continues to investigate the collision between two airboats in the Francis S. Taylor Management Area.

The crash occurred at approximately 6:20 p.m. Friday while both vessels were traveling through the Everglades wetlands.

Five people were aboard the two airboats. Authorities said Alessandro Borgo, a 32-year-old New Jersey man who was operating one of the vessels, was airlifted to a hospital and later died.

No other injuries were reported.

FWC had not released additional information explaining what caused the vessels to collide as its investigation remained active.

We extend our condolences to Alessandro Borgo’s family and loved ones following this tragic crash.