Rescue crews pull man's body from ocean in Daytona Beach

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Investigators are trying to figure out whether the rough surf and rip currents are to blame for the death of a man who drowned in Daytona Beach.

The victim, whose name hasn’t been released, was found floating face down on the beach near the intersection of Williams and Atlantic avenues, close to where a toddler was struck by a SUV on the beach on Monday.

Investigators said no one saw the man in his 60s struggling in the ocean until it was too late.

A witness who was several floors up in a nearby condo noticed the victim face down in the water and called 911.

"We're not sure exactly what happened, but we did pull the man from the water," said Capt. Tammy Morris of Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue. "He was unresponsive, and we initiated CPR."

Paramedics could not revive the victim, who was later pronounced dead.

"They had the crime scene tape up and about six cars I guess," said witness Dot Ducharme.

Investigators aren't sure whether the man had a medical episode or if he drowned while fighting dangerous rip currents. They said he was swimming in an area without a lifeguard.

WFTV