Florida boat capsize: One dead, US Coast Guard halts search for three missing

The search for three individuals missing after an 18-foot boat capsized in Jacksonville, Florida, was suspended on Saturday night following the death of one person.

The Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department responded to a distress call on Friday evening around 8 p.m. that reported a capsized vessel near Goat Island on the St. Johns River.

Capt. Eric Prosswimmer told NBC news that four individuals were found on top of the boat, while another four were possibly trapped beneath it. The cause of the capsizing is still under investigation.

The US Coast Guard, which also joined the search efforts, was able to rescue the four people on top of the boat. However, the agency stated that one of them, believed to be part of the group under the boat, was unresponsive when pulled from the water.

Later, one of the missing individuals was found dead, however, the authorities have not yet released their identity. The three other individuals, described as adults and two minors, were still missing.

Despite extensive efforts, including the use of divers, boats, helicopters, and drones, no additional victims were located in the water. The search spanned over 270 square miles for 17 hours, but ultimately, the Coast Guard decided to suspend operations late Saturday night, citing the lack of new information.

“No additional victims were found in the water following a 17-hour search that spanned more than 270 square miles,” it said.

Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Barton Nanney extended his condolences to the families of the missing individuals. He also emphasized that halting the search for missing individuals was a ‘heartbreaking decision’. However, he clarified that the decision was made only after an extensive search.