Watercraft accident at Lake Seminole Park leaves 15-year-old with life threatening injuries
UPDATE-Katie Yale passed away this morning as confirmed with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (9/3/2013)
A Labor Day watercraft accident occurred in Lake Seminole involving a 19ft Key West center console boat and a Sea Doo personal watercraft. Lake Seminole Park is located at 10015 Seminole Blvd in Seminole.
According to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the accident occurred at approximately 1:43pm. Douglas Yale, the operator of the Key West vessel, was towing two children on a towable tube. The children have been identified as 15-year-old Katie Yale and 13-year-old Audree Franz. As Mr. Yale was pulling the children, Ryan Godcharles, operating the Sea Doo, collided with the towable tube sending the two girls into the water. Katie Yale sustained life threatening injuries and was transported to a local trauma center. Audree Franz was also transported to a local hospital with minor injuries.
Neither Douglas Yale or Ryan Godcharles suffered any injuries.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit along with the Major Accident Investigation Team will continue to investigate the incident. Seminole Fire Rescue and Sunstar Ambulance assisted in the care of those injured in the accident.
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