HAULOVER BEACH, Fla. – A man was taken to Aventura Hospital on Sunday after he got knocked off a personal watercraft by the movement of one boat and run over by another.
"He was bleeding, torn up by the propeller," Zach McWilliams, a witness, said.
Firefighters said the victim was on a personal watercraft near Haulover Park when the wake from a boat knocked him over.
Then, another boat came and drove over the victim.
McWilliams said he saw rescuers bring the victim to Bill Bird Marina.
"Fire rescue had the guy's leg pretty wrapped up but the blood was seeping through. (He) had scratches from the propeller all up his body," he said.
Merick Tendrich, a firefighter with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, said the victim was later taken to Aventura Hospital, where he is listed in critical condition.
Lt. Felipe Lay said the victim sustained injuries to his lower extremities and mid-section.
McWilliams, who works in Haulover Beach, said he has seen dozens of accidents involving personal watercrafts.
"Jet Skis are so inexpensive to rent and to run, and pretty much anyone can just go out and drive one," he said.
As the long Labor Day weekend continues, firefighters are reminding everyone to be safe.
Lay said important for anyone on the water to be mindful of their surroundings and that boaters should watch out for dive flags, snorkelers, personal watercrafts and movement in the water.
Those in personal watercrafts should wear helmets to protect themselves in the event of a crash.
In this case, the victim was wearing a life jacket.
"If he was knocked unconscious and if he didn't have a life jacket on, he could've gone under the water and drowned," Tendrich said about the victim.