Fog blamed for boat crashing into restaurant

As fog shrouded the Florida coastline at about 5pm on Monday, a 39-foot boat crashed onto the shore in front of the Sunset Grille in Little Harbor, sliding across a broad beach and smashing into the restaurant.



Two people suffered minor injuries. Seven people were on the boat and one was taken to a hospital. The person driving the boat "just kept going straight and never turned,'' said witness Bob Schafer.





The four-engine boat was travelling at 40 to 50 mph, said Nacole Revette, a Hillsborough County Fire Rescue spokeswoman. She said firefighters shored up the restaurant roof.


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No alcohol was suspected. The fog appeared to be a major factor in the crash, said Baryl Martin, a Fish and Wildlife spokesman. The boaters' names were not released. An investigation is ongoing, Martin added.