Yesterday a father and son were reported missing while gator hunting in an air boat near Lake Okeechobee.
When word got out, WPTV chopper pilot Captain Julie and photojournalist Johann Hoffen took off in Chopper 5 to help look for the men.
Two miles off of Belle Glade the WPTV crew spotted the boaters waving at them frantically. Captain Julie radioed her coordinates to Palm Beach Fire Rescue and the men were picked up. They were found sitting a top their sunk boat surrounded by murky water and grass.
This isn’t the first time a news chopper is helping stranded boaters get plucked out of the Everglades. WSVN photojournalist Ralph Rayburn has done it at least twice in recent years. As did WFOR’s helicopter crew, I believe late last year.
Kudos, Captain Julie & crew!