NAVARRE - Both the United States Coast Guard and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are investigating a parasailing accident that happened Sunday afternoon at Navarre Beach.

According to one witness, a couple fell 300 feet into Santa Rosa Sound shortly after winds kicked up in the area. The couple, whose names are not being released, were taken by ambulance to Gulf Breeze Hospital and were later released.

"The injuries were not serious," Wildlife Commission

Lt. Wayne Williams said.

The woman reportedly walked away from the accident, while the man suffered bruised ribs. Witnesses say a thunderstorm blew in unexpectedly early Sunday afternoon, whipping up a four-foot chop in Santa Rosa Sound.

Al Millander was manning the booth at the Navarre Beach Pier early Sunday afternoon when the wind picked up suddenly.

He noticed the couple dangling "between 200 and 300 feet in the air." Millander said it appeared as if the boat operator was trying to get the couple down, but the westerly winds churned up by the storm were too strong.

"If he turned the boat around they would have dropped too fast, so they were just stuck," Millander said.

From his viewpoint, Millander said it appeared as if the rope suddenly snapped. But Williams said Gulf Breeze Parasailing operator Hank Sonnenreich reportedly had to cut the line because the couple was in danger from the strong winds.

"They came down hard and hit the bay and the parachute dragged them across the water to where the boats are docked at," Millander said.

Witnesses say volunteer firefighters who happened to be having lunch at Sailors' Grill ran out and pulled the couple up on the beach behind the restaurant.

A number of fatal and near-fatal parasailing accidents across the state have made national news lately, highlighting the fact that parasailing operations in Florida are not regulated by any governing agencies.

"As far as regulating it in the manner amusement park rides are inspected, to my knowledge no one does that," Wildlife Commission Capt. Brad Williams said.

If Wildlife Commission officials find any wrongdoing on Sonnenreich's part, he could face possible citations. The U.S. Coast Guard could pull Sonnenreich's license to operate a commercial watercraft if he is not cleared.