Paddleboarder in apparent distress in Gulf off Siesta Key prompts call to 911

Person found onshore by county Emergency Services personnel

Shortly after 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 31, Sarasota County Fire Department personnel responded to a call about a paddleboarder last seen southbound past Point of Rocks, off Crescent Beach. The person was beyond the breakers and apparently unable to get back to shore because of the wind, the Fire Department reported.

After a search, firefighters/medics with the rescue unit from Fire Station 13, which stands just south of Siesta Public Beach, found a person “walking on the beach near Turtle Beach with paddleboard in hand,” the report said. The crew gave the individual a ride back to his vehicle, which was located “several miles away,” the report noted.

The paddleboarder had entered the water at Beach Access 5, the report pointed out. Beach Access 5 stands at 200 Beach Road…

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