CLERMONT, Fla. – Deputies pulled a man from Lake Minnehaha who they say fell off a paddleboard, went into the lake and did not resurface.
Deputies identified the man as 30-year-old Ronald Sikorski who was pronounced dead at South Lake Hospital.
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The sheriff's office responded to Lake Minnehaha in the area of Sunset Avenue and Lakeshore Drive at 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
Deputies said Sikorski fell off his paddleboard and called for his friends, who attempted to rescue him.
Deputies said they were called after the friends tried to help, but Sikorski slipped under the dark, murky waters.
The sheriff's office coordinated numerous resources at the scene to include its dive team, marine patrol and helicopter, as well as fire and EMS personnel, and members from FWC.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission said a paddle board is like a giant surf board and the person stands up to paddle it. When used as a paddle board, it is considered a vessel, just like a kayak or canoe, and there must be a life jacket and sound producing device on board, like a whistle. The person, however, does not have to be wearing the lifejacket.
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