Marine Unit Investigates Single Vessel Crash Off John's Pass; One Person Injured
Release Number: 09-224
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Marine Unit
Thomas W. Demaree (Injured Pasenger)
DOB: 09/27/1943
Address: 1845 Highland Avenue Bldg 9 Unit 19, Clearwater
Stephen P. Schneider (Vessel Operator- uninjured)
DOB: 06/25/1954
Address: 10964 71st. Avenue North #2, Seminole
Vessel: 17 foot Proline
One other passenger aboard - uninjured
What: Marine Unit deputies are investigating a single vessel crash off John's Pass in which one person was injured.
Where: The crash occured off John's Pass on the north side of Eleanor Island.
When: The crash occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2009.
How/Why: Marine Unit deputies are investigating a single vessel crash off John's Pass in which one person was seriously injured. The crash occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 2009 on the north side of Eleanor Island.
According to deputies the vessel was proceeding eastbound, when the steering cables apparently suddenly broke. This caused the vessel to make an abrupt turn towards the right, ejecting one of the passengers, later identified as 65-year-old Thomas W. Demaree.
Deputies say the vessel continued on and made a 360-degree turn eventually running over the ejected passenger.
A tow boat behind the vessel rendered assistance and transported Demaree to Don's Dock located at 215 Boardwalk Place in Madeira Beach. Demaree was treated on scene by emergency personnel and subsequently transported by air to Bayfront Medical Center for treatment of life threatening injuries.
Alcohol was not a factor in the crash.
The investigation continues.
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