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Man faces charges after airboat with 10 people flips in Everglades

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. – A man stands accused of operating an airboat without a license when it flipped on its side with 10 passengers on Friday in the Florida Everglades.

Jose Maldonado was among the passengers who reported the man was trying to give them a better view of an alligator when he turned too fast and they were stranded for about 15 minutes.

“My first thought was panic, I was afraid for my wife and family members, and then I thought about the alligator ... We tried to flip the boat over but it was just too heavy.”

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers arrested the airboat operator on Friday at Coopertown Airboats near the Tamiami Trail and Krome Avenue accusing him of not having proof of completion of a boating safety course or a captain’s license.

Authorities have yet to identify the airboat operator. This is a developing story.

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About the Authors
Trent Kelly headshot

Trent Kelly is an award-winning multimedia journalist who joined the Local 10 News team in June 2018. Trent is no stranger to Florida. Born in Tampa, he attended the University of Florida in Gainesville, where he graduated with honors from the UF College of Journalism and Communications.

Andrea Torres headshot

The Emmy Award-winning journalist joined the Local 10 News team in 2013. She wrote for the Miami Herald for more than 9 years and won a Green Eyeshade Award.

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