SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. — The man who died in a boating accident on Christmas Day at Lake Harney has been identified as 39-year-old John Erle Gebhardt, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Gebhardt died after he was ejected from his boat after hitting a tree, according to the accident report.
Just before noon, Gebhardt was operating an unregistered racing vessel heading south on the St. Johns River just north of Lake Harney, the report states.
For an unknown reason, the 19-foot boat Gebhardt was driving turned toward the western shore, hitting the ground and striking a tree. Gebhardt struck a tree and landed in the water after he was ejected.
The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue responded to the scene, where Gebhardt was pronounced dead.
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