The Volusia Sheriff's Office said that the man's girlfriend tried to rescue him, but she and other witnesses "lost their hold on him in the current"
Credit: AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack
NEED TO KNOW
- A 22-year-old man drowned while snorkeling near French Landing in Orange City, Fla., despite rescue attempts
- Witnesses, including his girlfriend, tried to save the man but lost him in the river’s strong current
- Experts warn that the St. Johns River’s strong currents and debris make swimming there dangerous
A 22-year-old man from Florida died on Saturday. March 7, after drowning while snorkeling near French Landing, Orange City.
Deputies from the Volusia Sheriff's Office responded to the scene at 4:18 p.m. local time, after the man's girlfriend and several other witnesses reported he'd gone missing underwater after struggling to swim about 50 feet offshore, according to a press release from police.
The victim was identified as 22-year-old Samuel Oche of Daytona Beach.
The Volusia Sheriff's Office said in the release that his girlfriend tried to rescue him, while multiple other witnesses also jumped in to help the man, but they "lost their hold on him in the current and then lost sight of him."
Credit: Google Maps
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Air One were called to help with the search, during which they used a boat sonar that uses waves to detect objects.
At around 8 p.m., the Volusia Sheriff's Office's dive team recovered Oche from the river.
"The Sheriff's Office sends sincere condolences to Samuel's loved ones for their tragic loss," the press release said.
A report titled the State of the River Report for the Lower St. Johns River Basin, written by a team of academic researchers, warns against swimming in the St. Johns River.
"The currents are strong, and thunderstorms, winds, tides and the many boats that traverse the river can also make swimming dangerous," the report stated. "The water in the river is also dark and opaque, stained with the organic matter and sediments from the many streams, wetlands, and springs that feed the St. Johns."
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
"Debris has also accumulated in the river, including abandoned crab pots, fishing equipment, and litter. All these factors make swimming in the river potentially hazardous," the report continued.
Read the full article here
