Man Drowns Off Anna Maria Island, Manatee County Sheriff Says

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A man drowned Friday afternoon near Passage Key off Anna Maria Island after a wave pulled him underwater while he was swimming near an anchored boat, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Deputies were called to the area shortly after 4:30 p.m. for a possible drowning.

The man and another adult had been swimming west of Passage Key when they encountered a rapidly incoming tide, the sheriff’s office said.

A large wave caused the victim to go underwater, and he didn’t resurface. The other swimmer called 911, prompting a response from multiple agencies.

West Manatee Fire Rescue located the victim, deputies said.

The man was first brought to shore, where Manatee County Emergency Medical Services was waiting for him at Galati Yacht Sales, and then brought to Blake Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the Anna Maria Sun reported.

After the drowning, MCSO reminded boaters and beachgoers to use extreme caution around rapidly changing tides, strong currents and breaking waves, particularly near sandbars and inlets, where conditions can change quickly.

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