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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Rachel Hagan

Mum killed and two kids injured after boat captain CUT lines during parasailing trip

A mum died while parasailing and her child and nephew have been left injured after the parasail went into a bridge.

The victim, Supraja Alaparthi, 33, was parasailing with her 10-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew when the winds picked up and tragically slammed them into the old Seven Mile Bridge west of Marathon in the Florida Keys.

Shortly after getting into the air, the extreme weather compromised conditions for the paraglide.

This prompted the captain to cut the line tethered to the three victims and they were suddenly plunged from an unknown height and dragged through the surface of the water until the parasail collided with the bridge.

A terrifying video taken by witnesses captured the horrifying moment as it happened.

33-year-old Supraja Alaparthi, was parasailing with her 10-year-old son and 9-year-old nephew (Local10.com)

The prosecution claims that "all the family members were yelling to the captain hook them, use a rescue device jump in the water… Do something to save our family," according to CBS.

The arrest warrant said: "The captain did not manoeuvre his vessel under the bridge to offer aide even though the family members on the parasail vessel later reported they were begging him to help."

It also said that a member of the public in another boat responded and was the first to give assistance, cutting all three from their harnesses and placing them on their boat.

Daniel Gavin Couch, 49 (MONROE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE)

The boat captain, 49-year-old Daniel Gavin Couch, has been charged with manslaughter in connection with the murder.

The arrest warrant said Couch failed to "use any available means to determine the prevailing and forecasted weather conditions."

It continued: "Daniel Couch had an utter disregard for the care of his passengers who entrusted him with their lives by allowing them to fly after he verbally acknowledges to his crew member within one minute of flight that the weather was quickly deteriorating."

“He failed to have his radio working, which would have advised him of weather reports. He failed to check the GPS. That also would have shown the incoming weather," said

Attorney Pedro Echarte revealed that Mr Couch "lied to investigators about using his mobile phone to check the weather throughout the day.

Attorney Ricky Patel, who represents the family of Ms Alaparthi said: "The family is thankful for friends, family and members of the community for reaching out and showing their support. It means a lot to them. They're hopeful with this step today that we can get one step closer to making sure that this doesn't happen to any family again."

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