A tragic event unfolded in Jacksonville as a boat capsized in the St. Johns River, resulting in one confirmed death and three people, including children, still missing. First Coast News reported the incident occurred yesterday in Mill Cove, near the Dames Point Bridge. The Jacksonville Fire & Rescue Department (JFRD) responded to the call with multiple agencies joining the search and rescue effort.
First Coast News states crews found four people still on the overturned 18-foot boat. While one individual was found dead near the vessel, authorities are conducting an ongoing search for an adult and two minors. JFRD Captain Eric Prosswimmer indicated life jackets appeared not to have been used on board.
The boating party was reportedly out to capture photos of the sunset when the accident happened. According to a report by News4Jax, the call was received around 8 p.m. last night. First responders, including those from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Fish and Wildlife Commission, focused their efforts on the area where the Trout River and St. John's River intersect.
As efforts to understand the cause of the capsize continue, the Coast Guard and local enforcement are still on the scene, per News4Jax. Meanwhile, Action News Jax updated that the recovery operation extended today, as per statement by JFRD Captain Prosswimmer. "The boat has been recovered, operations will continue throughout Saturday," Prosswimmer told Action News Jax.
