Missing boater, dog rescued from Lake Poinsett

Aviation Unit finds boater clinging to overturned boat

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The Brevard County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit rescued a missing boater and his dog Saturday afternoon in Lake Poinsett.

The Sheriff's Office said Chief Pilot John Coppola flew their helicopter over the lake and successfully located the missing boater who was in distress, clinging to his overturned 14-foot-boat.

According to the Sheriff's Office, Coppola hovered the helicopter over the victim while tactical flight officers jumped from the helicopter into the water with a life jacket to rescue the victim.

Once Tactical Flight officers secured the victim and dog, the Sheriff's Office said Coppola located another boater not far from the area. Chief Coppola then directed the boater to the scene of the incident to take the rescued victim and pet on board.

The victim was taken to the shoreline where Brevard County Fire Rescue transported him to the hospital as a result of his low vital signs.

The Sheriff's Office said the victim was physically exhausted and had been clinging to the overturned boat for almost six hours.

According to the Sheriff's Office, the boater was last seen around 9 a.m. and was reported missing around 3 p.m.


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