I hope the PR machine for the state group addresses this. What happened to the days when airboats were eloquently defended & often receiving proclamations?
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/loc ... 1215.story

Airboater charged with manslaughter in friend's death

By Jeff Weiner, Orlando Sentinel
July 22, 2010

Talmadge Gentry rocked the boat, and paid for it with his life, authorities say. Now, a fellow boater and longtime friend has been charged in the killing.
Osceola County deputies arrested Buddy Dekle on Thursday and charged him with second-degree murder, the Sheriff's Office said. Investigators determined that Gentry, whom witnesses described as Dekle's friend of more than 30 years, died as a result of a beating Dekle delivered while the two were airboating on Lake Hatchineha in Osceola County.

Dekle attacked his friend at Lake Hatchineha on May 8, deputies said. According to a sheriff's statement, Dekle struck Gentry in the face after Gentry's airboat accidentally brushed up against the leg of a passenger in Dekle's airboat while Gentry was easing his boat onto the beachhead.

Witnesses told investigators that Dekle punched Gentry repeatedly in the face and head as Gentry tried to apologize, knocking his friend unconscious. Witnesses at the scene provided medical care to Gentry and took him home.

Deputies said Gentry, 69, was admitted the next day to a Haines City hospital as a result of his injuries, and he was soon put on life support. He later died.

Soon after Gentry's death, the Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma, and the incident was ruled a homicide. Dekle had initially been charged with aggravated battery while Gentry was still alive.

Dekle remained in the Osceola County Jail with no bail available.

Thanks for the info Grey Ghost, horrible story for all airboaters. Specially thanks for keeping this site alive!!
Bud1