Tragedy on the New River: One Person Dead After Witnesses Report Struggling Swimmer
Emergency Response
At approximately 2:40 a.m. on Saturday, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to a distressing situation on the New River, located behind The Wharf in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Witnesses reported a struggling swimmer, prompting a massive search and rescue operation.
The Search Effort
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue deployed a range of resources to locate the missing person, including divers, fireboats, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office helicopter. Despite a thorough search, crews were unable to find anyone.
The Discovery
The search was subsequently taken over by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD), who deployed their dive team to scour the water. A short time later, the FLPD’s dive team located a body, which is believed to be the missing swimmer. However, a death investigation has been initiated to confirm the identity of the deceased.
Witness Accounts
According to witnesses, a man was in distress in the water, and at least one good Samaritan jumped in to try and save him, but lost visual contact before making contact.
Background
Details about why the person may have been in the water are still unknown, and the identity of the deceased individual has not been released. A group of visitors from New York, who were staying in a hotel overlooking the area, reported seeing a "body bag" and "probably like 25 cops" responding to the scene.
Conclusion
This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of water safety and the devastating consequences of accidents in and around waterways. Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the deceased, and we will continue to follow this developing story for updates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on the New River?
A person was reported struggling in the water, prompting a search and rescue operation. - Who responded to the scene?
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, U.S. Coast Guard, Broward Sheriff’s Office, and Fort Lauderdale Police Department. - Was the person found?
Yes, the FLPD’s dive team located a body, believed to be the missing swimmer. - What is the status of the investigation?
A death investigation has been initiated to confirm the identity of the deceased.
