A kayaking trip turned tragic in Polk County this weekend, ending in the death of a man whose body was found early Monday in Lake Annie. The Polk County Sheriff's Office reported that the man's friends went searching for him Sunday evening after he had been out on the lake since around 3:30 p.m. and upon their search, they found his overturned kayak but no sign of him, WTSP detailed the initial discovery.
At about 3:30 a.m. early Monday, that the man's friends reported him missing and rescue crews from Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Polk County Fire Rescue were dispatched, they launched boats to scan the waters of Lake Annie where the man's body was eventually found, officials did not immediately release his name, pending notification of family members, the Sheriff's Office has begun a death investigation and has sent the body to the Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy, according to information from ABC Action News.
The victim was kayaking near Lake Wales in what is known locally as the Waverly Area. Details surrounding the circumstances of the kayaker's disappearance and the cause of death remain under investigation. There has been no immediate suggestion of foul play, but the inquiry will aim to uncover what events led to the incident that resulted in a leisurely activity turning fatal, WESH noted.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office has provided no further details on the man's identity or the results of the preliminary investigation, but as the situation unfolds and more information becomes clear, updates are expected as the local community copes with a reminder of the unpredictable nature of recreational outings which can sometimes, despite all cautions taken, lead to unexpected and tragic outcomes, and the sheriff's office will issue updates as they become available.
