INDIAN LAKE ESTATES, Fla. — A man who was pulled from Lake Walk-In-Water Friday morning after reportedly falling from a boat later died at the hospital, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident was reported at approximately 9:16 a.m. Friday, August 7, near Banyan Drive and Park Avenue in the Indian Lake Estates area.
Initial dispatch information indicated a man, believed to be in his 70s, had fallen from a boat and was pulled from the water. Dispatch traffic also indicated the man was not breathing at the time emergency crews were responding.
The man was brought back to the boat ramp, where Polk County Fire Rescue personnel provided emergency medical treatment before transporting him to an area hospital.
Polk County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Brian Bruchey later told Daily Ridge that investigators do not yet know whether the man drowned or suffered some type of medical episode before falling into the water.
Bruchey confirmed the man was transported to the hospital and later passed away.
At this time, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office has not clarified the full sequence of events that led up to the man entering the water or everything that occurred before he was brought back to shore. The circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.
A significant Polk County Sheriff’s Office presence remained at the lake following the incident. Two PCSO boats were seen at the scene along with multiple Sheriff’s Office vehicles, including forensic investigation personnel. Polk County Fire Rescue also responded.
The identity of the man has not yet been released.
Daily Ridge will provide additional information as it becomes available from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
