Sheriff’s Office Assists with Rescue Efforts of Missing Diver



                                                                                                                             


The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office assisted in a multi-jurisdictional rescue effort earlier this afternoon.

A Coast Guard helicopter and sheriff's office assets, including the Sheriff's Underwater Recovery Force (SURF), were dispatched to assist in the rescue efforts of a missing diver six miles west of the barrier island, Manasota Key. The diver was located alive in the water and subsequently rescued and transported by marine units.

The sheriff's office SURF Unit is routinely called upon to search for evidence of crimes and victims of drowning, water accidents, and foul play.