Boat explosion off Longboat sends six to hospital, under state investigation

A boat explosion that occurred Saturday afternoon in New Pass, off the south end of Longboat Key, sent six to the hospital and drew multiple agencies to respond.

Authorities were alerted to the incident at approximately 4:45 p.m. June 24, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Longboat Key Police and Fire Rescue departments were called along with the FWC, U.S. Coast Guard, and Sarasota Police Department and Fire Rescue.

All six individuals on the 24-foot Yellowfin boat were transported to a nearby hospital. Longboat Key Fire Rescue assisted in the treatment and transportation of some of the patients, according to Public Information Officer Tina Adams. One had been transported as a trauma alert, and all others were transported as nonemergency, Adams said in an email.

The FWC is currently investigating the incident, but no further updates are available as of Tuesday evening.

Correction: This article has been updated to clarify that the Sarasota Police Department was among the responding agencies.