News: Captain cut cable in fatal Florida Keys parasailing accident, report says
MARATHON, FL – New details emerged this week about Monday’s parasailing accident in the Florida Keys that left a woman dead and two children injured.
This is an update to a previous story.
The Miami Herald reports a boat captain intentionally cut the parasailing cable tethering the three victims to a vessel, causing them to plunge into the water and hit the Old Seven Mile Bridge near Marathon.
33-year-old Supraja Alaparthi of Schaumburg, Illinois was pronounced dead at the scene, while her 10-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew were injured, the younger boy critically.
The Herald cited a report by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission which said the parasail had “pegged” in strong wind, creating a risk of dragging the boat.
49-year-old Daniel Couch, the boat’s captain, reportedly cut the cable connecting the family’s harness to the vessel due to concerns the parasail would drag the boat and endanger others.
A law enforcement source was quoted as saying Coach apparently hoped to catch the woman and two children on the way down.
The U.S. Coast Guard and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are continuing to investigate the incident. The family was on vacation in the Florida Keys at the time.
If you have been injured or lost a loved one in a South Florida boating accident, the Hickey Law Firm would like to hear about your case. Our Miami boat accident lawyers are extremely knowledgeable about this area of the law and can recover the compensation you deserve after a traumatic accident. To learn more about how we can help, schedule a free consultation by calling us at 888-913-4296, texting 844-984-1937, or using our online form.
Attorney John H. (Jack) Hickey and his team handle a wide range of cases, including but not limited to cruise ship accidents, admiralty and maritime accident cases, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, railroad accidents and car accidents. We represent victims from all over the nation, the world and the state of Florida.