Tragedy struck the serene waters of St. Petersburg on Sunday afternoon as a boat crash claimed the life of a 15-year-old boy. Amidst the tranquil surroundings of Bayshore Boulevard and Connecticut Avenue, the sound of a collision shattered the peace, sparking a frenzied response from authorities and neighbors alike.
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According to investigators, the accident involved an 18-foot boat carrying two 15-year-old boys, which crashed into a dock, ejecting both occupants into the water. While the driver, Christian Tharakan, escaped with minor injuries, his passenger, Collin Moorefield, suffered critical harm.
Two 15-year-old boys were ejected from their boat after it crashed into a dock on Bayshore Blvd NE in St. Pete's Shore Acres neighborhood.
One teen was critically injured but alert, while the other was rescued from the water and is critical but unstable @BN9 pic.twitter.com/nWO3dDExpJ
— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) March 4, 2024
Expressions of sympathy poured in from the Shore Acres community and beyond, with Major Evan Laskowski of the FWC offering condolences to the Moorefield family and urging respect for their privacy during this trying period.
As the investigation into the incident continues, the St. Petersburg Police Department remains in collaboration with the FWC to ascertain the circumstances leading to the tragic outcome.
