Sean Bender of the Lower Keys dies in fatal Lower Keys boating accident
Fatal Lower Keys boating accident claims the life of Sean Bender of the Lower Keys – Obituary
Bodycam footage captured the moments when a man was pulled onto a dock after being struck by a boat propeller in the waters of the Lower Keys, as reported by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim, identified as 20-year-old Sean Bender, was lobstering near the Boca Chica Bridge with another man, Steven Bender, when he was hit by a 19-foot 1988 Stratos, according to an incident report by Sgt. J Moeller.
The boat’s operator stated that he was navigating under the bridge when he saw someone surface directly in front of his vessel.
After striking Bender, the operator halted the boat and brought both divers on board before heading to Key Haven Boat Ramp. Emergency responders met them there and flew Bender to a Miami hospital at around 8:09 a.m., as reported by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Sean Bender suffered cuts to his head, neck, right arm, and shoulder, according to the incident report. He was breathing but “barely responsive.”
Through interviews, Moeller learned that “Steven and Sean had taken the inflatable dinghy from [their vessel, the Grady White,] to an area under the Boca Chica Bridge to go lobstering.”
The operator of the Stratos mentioned seeing a dinghy “approximately two pilings over from where he struck the snorkeler,” and noted it did not have a dive flag.
However, a witness on another boat informed a different deputy that a dive flag was indeed displayed.
When Moeller arrived to investigate and take photos, the dinghy had been moved back to the Grady White by witnesses on the third boat.
Currently, the boat’s operator faces no charges in the accident.
Fatal Lower Keys boating accident claims the life of Sean Bender of the Lower Keys – Obituary Bodycam footage captured the moments when a man was pulled onto a dock after being struck by a boat propeller in the waters of the Lower Keys, as reported by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The victim, identified…
Fatal Lower Keys boating accident claims the life of Sean Bender of the Lower Keys – Obituary Bodycam footage captured the moments when a man was pulled onto a dock after being struck by a boat propeller in the waters of the Lower Keys, as reported by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. The victim, identified…