Doug / 08-31-2012 / Boat Accidents

Fatal Parasailing Accident under Investigation

Mike Damaso Tom Dennis
Written By
Mike Damaso and Tom Dennis
Butch Wooten Orman Kimbrough
Peer Reviewed By
Butch Wooten and Orman Kimbrough
Updated: October 30, 2024

A Connecticut woman on vacation with her husband in Florida died in a tragic parasailing accident on August 15, according to sources. Stephen Miskell, 31, and his wife Kathleen Miskell, 28, were parasailing together 200 feet above the ground off the coast of Pompano Beach when Kathleen’s harness broke.

Kathleen plummeted into the water and went into cardiac arrest. The boat operators went around to pick her up after reeling in Stephen. She was then rushed to North Broward Health Center where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Further investigation determined that the boat’s captain, Casey Fuller, 28, was licensed to operate by the US Coast Guard but also had a criminal record. Fuller was convicted of felony grand theft and forgery in 2006. Fuller captains the 28-foot parasail boat owned by Waveblast Watersports, a Florida excursion company. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the US Coast Guard continue to investigate the accident.

“The FWC is currently investigating every aspect of this case including the equipment that was used, the harness, the rope, the parachute and any other equipment we feel is necessary in order to paint a clearer picture of what occurred,” said Jorge Pino, spokesman for the FWC.

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Wooten Kimbrough, P.A.—Florida wrongful death attorneys.

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