TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Over a dozen people were rescued over the weekend after their boat was damaged, and some of the passengers were reportedly thrown into the water.
The rescue happened around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO).
Pilots in the HCSO's Aviation Section guided deputies to the damaged boat offshore, where officials said 13 people were awaiting rescue.
Some of the passengers had suffered minor injuries after the boat hit a wave and tossed three of them into the water, the sheriff's office reported.
A Good Samaritan reportedly pulled the people out of the water just before deputies arrived.
The HCSO's Marine Section and Hillsborough County Fire Rescue (HCFR) then loaded the passengers onto another boat and took them to Harborage Marina, where EMS was waiting.
"This successful rescue operation is a testament to the power of different sections and agencies working well together," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "We're grateful to have been able to bring all these individuals to safety, and I commend the outstanding efforts of our deputies and HCFR."