Another incident involving a parasailing excursion has occurred, this time off Panama City Beach, Florida, critically injured two teenage girls from Indiana. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said the parasail line that was attached to the boat snapped, leaving the two teens at the mercy of the wind. Both the Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are investigating the July 2 incident.

The parasail was caught by the strong winds and the girls were carried across the water to the beach. They crashed into the side of The Commodore Condominiums while horrified witnesses watched helplessly from the beach and surrounding area. The brother of one of the girls was in the boat when the line snapped.

Those witnesses said the girls’ bodies were limp after colliding with the building. The wind continued to carry the girls past the condos, and they hit either a utility pole or power lines before finally crashing into an SUV in a parking lot. The smashed windshield of the SUV could be seen in news video of the incident. Many news outlets are also showing amateur video of the two girls crashing into the building.

Both girls suffered severe cuts and head trauma. One girl required surgery for severe back injuries and the other has neck injuries. The family has been encouraged by the teens ability to communicate by using hand signals. Both are still listed in critical condition.

The girls and their families may pursue a civil claim against the owner of the parasailing company, as well as the operator and crew of the boat, for damages for current and future medical expenses, pain and suffering, disability, lost wages, and a variety of other claims. A personal injury attorney will be able to protect their rights during this process and hold those responsible for this boating accident accountable in court.

Source: nbcmiami.com, “http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Two-Indiana-Teens-Injured-in-Florida-Parasailing-Accident-214394391.html,” No author given, July 5, 2013

Source: csmonitor.com, “http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Latest-News-Wires/2013/0705/Parasailing-accident-Florida-boat-owner-reaches-out-to-families-of-injured” No author given, July 5, 2013