(source Pensacola New Journal, May 12th)

Three people were taken to the hospital Sunday afternoon after the personal watercrafts they were on collided at Pensacola Beach.

Falon Albo, 22, and Natasha Albo, 20, both of Denham Springs, La., were taken by helicopter to a local hospital, officials said.

The sisters were riding on a personal watercraft that collided with a craft driven by Carlos Diaz, 21, of Kenner, La., said Stan Kirkland, spokesman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Falon Albo was in good condition Sunday evening at Sacred Heart Hospital. The conditions of Albo’s sister and Diaz were not available.

“(Diaz) indicated at the scene he was not hurt,” Kirkland said. “When he got to the hospital he complained of some back pain. There was some indication he would be treated and released.”

FWC was called about the collision at 2:46 p.m. It occurred about half a mile off the Quietwater Beach shore.

Escambia County deputies shut down traffic at the beach so two helicopters could land and transport the sisters for treatment.

“Traffic was stopped between 10 and 15 minutes,” Sgt. Bain Custer said.

The victims were visiting the area as part of a family vacation, Kirkland said.

Kirkland said Diaz is dating one of the sisters.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, Kirkland said.

There were no witnesses to the collision, and a preliminary investigation indicates alcohol was not a factor, Kirkland said.

“(Investigators) will obviously need to interview the girls,” he said. “That will depend on when they are available. Depending on the injuries, it could be several days.”