7-year-old killed, thrown from boat in Charlotte County

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ENGLEWOOD, Fla. — A 7-year-old boy was killed in a boating accident before 9 a.m. Saturday near Stump Pass Marina.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers said the boy was with his dad and 11-year-old brother. The 7-year-old boy was seated at the back of the boat when the dad turned on the engine, according to FWC. Wildlife officials said the throttle bounced, throwing the boy from the boat and into the propeller.

Stuart Spode of FWC said “at this time we believe it was just an unfortunate accident single vessel accident.”

The boy was not wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident, Spode said. He also noted that though he believes life jackets are important, a life jacket would not have saved the boy.

“We’re not sure a life jacket would have helped in this situation, but even though it’s still always a good idea to have a life jacket on.”

FWC towed the family’s 20-foot boot into Stump Pass Marina and the boy was taken to Englewood Community Hospital but later died.

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