SUV Flies Over Seawall Into Boca Ciega Bay Canal; Driver OK

GULFPORT, FL -- Friday the 13th lived up to its reputation for a 64-year-old Gulfport woman who drove her sports utility vehicle over a seawall and into a Boca Ciega Bay canal.

Around 2 p.m., Friday, April 13, Gulfport Police were called to 49th Street South and 31st Avenue South for a report of a vehicle in the water.

According to police, the driver of the silver 2004 Toyota Highlander most likely experienced a medical problem that cause her to lose control of her SUV. Police say she was traveling at a high rate of speed on 49th Street South, which dead ends at the water with a seawall in between. The SUV left the road, went over the seawall and came to rest about 50 feet into the bay. Fortunately, the tide was out and the water was only about 3 feet deep.

A nearby resident who witnessed the accident helped the woman out of the SUV. She was transported to Bayfront Medical Center for an evaluation and treatment for minor injuries.

It took workers about two hours to remove the SUV from the water.

Image via Google Earth