VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A 56-year-old fisherman from Astor died following a medical emergency early in the morning on Lake Woodruff, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office said.
Emergency personnel from multiple agencies and a local boat owner attempted life-saving measures after the man collapsed on a pontoon boat, said VSO
The response began after a 911 call was received at 6:45 a.m. A Volusia Sheriff’s Office dispatcher provided CPR instructions over the phone while the agency’s Air One helicopter launched, flew over the lake and located the vessel.
Flight Paramedic Matt Brunelle jumped from the helicopter into the lake to reach the pontoon boat.
Brunelle was the first emergency responder to arrive on scene.
VSO said on land, patrol deputies met a local boat owner who agreed to transport them across the water. Guided by Air One, the deputies reached the pontoon boat and climbed aboard to continue CPR while Brunelle drove the vessel toward land to meet an ambulance.
The sheriff’s office said emergency medical services personnel arrived on the water next and took over life-saving measures.
According to VSO, responders continued care until arriving back on shore for transport to the hospital, but the fisherman was unable to recover despite the extensive efforts.
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