HERNANDO COUNTY, Fla. – A 68-year-old West Virginia man died by drowning at Hernando Beach at around 4 pm on Wednesday, according to deputies.
Investigators say Hernando County Sheriff’s deputies and Hernando County Fire Rescue units were dispatched to the Hernando Beach Boat Ramp, located at 4477 Calienta Street, in regard to a possible drowning.
“Upon arrival, deputies met with two males who had been boating with one other friend. The males told deputies they (all three men) left the Hernando Beach Boat Ramp around 9 a.m. and spent the day on the water. Around 3:30 p.m., the men returned to the boat ramp and removed the boat from the water. While at the dock and in the process of removing the boat from the water, one of the men’s cell phone fell into the water,” said HCSO.
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After removing the boat from the water, the victim told his friends he was going in the water to retrieve his friend’s cell phone.
Taking only a pair of goggles, the victim, a 69-year-old male, returned to the dock and jumped feet into the water.
Moments later, a female who was also using the boat ramp approached the victim’s friends and said she saw him enter the water; however, he had not resurfaced.
Several people then entered the water, attempting to locate the man the man and 911 was called.
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The HCSO Marine Unit, Underwater Operations Team, Aviation Unit, patrol deputies, Florida Fish and Wildlife and Conservation Commission, Hernando County Fire Rescue, and the United States Coast Guard responded to the area to search for the victim.
“Investigation revealed the victim to be a resident of West Virginia with a vacation home in Pasco County. Detectives also learned the victim suffered from heart disease and had a pacemaker,” said HCSO.
At approximately 8:36 p.m., divers located the victim’s body underwater, near where he originally entered the water.
The Medical Examiner responded to examine and take custody of the victim’s body.
“Preliminary investigation indicates no signs of foul play. The incident appears to be accidental or related to a medical episode,” said HCSO.
Next of kin notifications were completed by West Virginia authorities.
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