Hit & Run on Scallop diver - Florida

[DandyDon]

FWC needs help finding Citrus Co. boater who hit scalloper, left the scene

Captain Aaron Hefty's charter takes clients to hunt bay scallops, and that’s what he was doing Thursday when a scalloper hunting near the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge was seriously hurt.

www.abcactionnews.com

OZELLO, Fla. — Captain Aaron Hefty is staying busy right now because of the plentiful delicacy hidden in the shallow waters off Citrus County: bay scallops.

“It’s an underwater scavenger hunt,” said Hefty, the owner of Hefty’s Ozello Adventures.

His charter takes clients to hunt them, and that’s what he was doing Thursday when a scalloper hunting nearby — near the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge — was seriously hurt.

“I was heartbroken,” said Hefty.


According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), a boater who left the scene hit the man who was diving for scallops.

“And left the guy bleeding in the water in front of his family,” Hefty added.

According to a friend, Ed Walker, the scalloper used a diver-down flag to let boaters know he was in the water.


Walker said his friend “barely avoided being killed” by the boat, which went over him at “full speed” and “mangled” both of his legs.

For Captain Hefty, the news is tragic but not entirely unexpected, based on what he’s seen so far this scallop season.

(continued discussion at link)

 

[edwants2dive]

Well this is another case of a boater here in Florida that shouldn't be driving a boat. So sad that they have likely scared this man for life.

 

[DandyDon]

Diver injured in boat hit-and-run on the mend​

According to Jason Wetmore’s girlfriend, Nicole Burko, doctors believe the surgeries performed on him are thus far successful, but are keeping him at the hospital for the next day or two.
“I think they’re going to want some things, to check his mobility,” she said. Burko was in the process of getting their home ready for his return, which she said might be as early as Friday evening, or possibly Saturday. It might not be either, she added.
Meantime, she was busy doing as much as possible for when Wetmore is back at their home in Cocoa Beach. Among the things she was doing was assembling his wardrobe, selecting clothing he will be able to wear as he recuperates. Another aspect was rearranging furniture, to accommodate his maneuvering in the wheelchair he will be using while on the mend and in going through physical therapy.
She did mention that doctors have had him do some exercises on the leg that had blunt force trauma, having him wiggle his toes and perform several other tests, such as stretching. The results were positive.
“It’s baby steps,” Burko said. But these do provide hope.
Wetmore was struck while scalloping on July 6 by a propeller on a boat, which fled the scene.
Ashley Williams, a public information officer with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, could not be reached for comment.

 

[johndiver999]

Dr. Jason Wetmore, DMD Sedation Dentist · 817 Westport Dr Suite 1, Rockledge, FL 32955, Vereinigte Staaten

★★★★★ · Zahnarzt

www.google.com

 

[tarponchik]

And another proof that dive flags are useless: "According to a friend, Ed Walker, the scalloper used a diver-down flag to let boaters know he was in the water."

 

[Ukmc]

And another proof that dive flags are useless: "According to a friend, Ed Walker, the scalloper used a diver-down flag to let boaters know he was in the water."

That is a ridiculous statement. It is akin to saying a stop light or yield sign are useless because some people run it. It is a terrible tragedy and while it doesn’t help the injured directly, I hope they find the bastard who not only ran the flag but also left the scene…
I keep checking this thread, hoping that an update will say that they found the guy!

 

[johndiver999]

If they find the guy, chances are the penalty will be insignificant. Know about a similar case and an ER doctor was the boat driver, and he stopped, saw the damage and then took off. Chopped off both legs, think his fine was about $10 per toe (maybe $20). They caught him immediately, even though he ran for a different inlet than he normally would use.

 

[tarponchik]

That is a ridiculous statement. It is akin to saying a stop light or yield sign are useless because some people run it. It is a terrible tragedy and while it doesn’t help the injured directly, I hope they find the bastard who not only ran the flag but also left the scene…
I keep checking this thread, hoping that an update will say that they found the guy!

False analogy. On the road, drivers face consequences if they ignore the signs.

 

[Thunder Struck]

And another proof that dive flags are useless: "According to a friend, Ed Walker, the scalloper used a diver-down flag to let boaters know he was in the water."

Flare guns used as a supplement to the dive flag for signaling the presence of divers would likely be effective--fired directly at the offending boat traffic.

 

[Billg68bg]

And another proof that dive flags are useless: "According to a friend, Ed Walker, the scalloper used a diver-down flag to let boaters know he was in the water."

It’s pretty ignorant to say they are useless, because some idiot ignores it and did something stupid. IMO.