A local kayaker is out of the hospital Monday after he was supposedly hit by a large tourist boat. The incident happened around 4:30 p.m. Sunday in the gulf near Rick Seltzer Park in Panama City Beach.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says kayaker Noel Santiago, 51, suffered injures when the Sea Screamer hit him, but the captain of the boat is telling a different story. Captain Andy Redmond said it was a close call but he claims he was able to stop the large speed boat before hitting Santiago.
As for what actually happened, wildlife officers are still trying to figure that out. They believe Santiago was kayaking alone past the second sand bar when the incident happened.
Redmond claims Santiago jumped off his kayak as the boat approached, and he and his crew did everything they could to help him out.
Officers said people on the beach and sea screamer crew members helped Santiago back to the park where an ambulance picked him up. They interviewed all of the witnesses and said it will likely be a lengthy investigation.
Doctors discharged Santiago from the hospital late Monday afternoon.
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A man kayaking off Panama City Beach was taken to the hospital after he was hit by a boat, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife officials.
Officers are still investigating the accident involving a tourist cruise boat but said it happened off the beaches of Rick Seltzer Park around 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
The captain of the boat called News 13 Sunday disputing that he hit the kayaker and said he and his crew did everything to help the man.
The extent of the man’s injuries have not yet been released.
