Boater dead, another seriously hurt after vessel crashes near Howard Frankland Bridge: FWC

TAMPA, Fla. - One boater is missing, and another is hospitalized with serious injuries following a crash early Wednesday morning. 

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, two people were on board a 20-foot boat when it hit a barge near the Howard Frankland Bridge around 4:15 a.m.

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Officials say one person fell into the water and the other boater was taken to an area hospital to be treated for their injuries. 

Hours later, a body was recovered from the water near the Courtney Campbell Causeway boat ramp. Investigators did not say whether this was the missing boater, but FWC said they aren't investigating any other serious incidents in the area.

Boaters said, although the circumstances behind this crash remain under investigation, it puts a focus on how difficult it can be to operate a vessel in the dark.

"I feel sorry for him. It's. It's sad. Especially that happened that night or early morning, which you were saying," said Jay Plamann, a boater from Tampa. "We actually don't boat at night and we never will. It's just too dangerous. You can't see anything around you. Some boats go too fast and jump on you, so we just stay away."

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