A weekend outing on the St. Johns River turned tragic Saturday when a 22-year-old Daytona Beach man died after going missing while snorkeling near French Landing in Orange City. His girlfriend and several nearby witnesses jumped into the water and tried to pull him to safety, but the river's current separated them, and they lost sight of him. Deputies and rescue crews searched for hours before recovering the man's body later that evening.
Deputies responded to the scene around 4:18 p.m., and witnesses told investigators the snorkeler had been roughly 50 feet offshore when he began struggling in the current, according to FOX 35 Orlando. The outlet reported that the group immediately attempted a rescue but could not hold onto the man as the water pulled him away. FOX 35 says authorities later identified the victim as 22-year-old Samuel Oche of Daytona Beach.
Search, Recovery and Agencies Involved
Multiple agencies joined the search, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and an aerial unit known as Air One, officials said. Crews used boat-mounted sonar that detected a possible location beneath the water, and the Volusia Sheriff’s Office dive team recovered the victim at approximately 8:00 p.m., per the Volusia Sheriff's Office. Investigators have not released additional details while they complete reports and notifications.
Blue Spring Area, Crowds and River Hazards
The stretch of the St. Johns around French Landing sits just downstream from Blue Spring State Park, a year-round draw for paddlers, snorkelers, and manatee watchers. The park notes that the spring and run can draw large numbers of visitors and that water activities are seasonally restricted to protect wildlife, while the wider river can produce strong currents that complicate rescues, according to Blue Spring State Park. Local authorities and park staff regularly advise water users to wear life jackets and be mindful of changing conditions before entering the water.
What Officials Say
The Volusia Sheriff's Office provided the details to news outlets, and FOX 35 Orlando noted its story was written from information supplied by the agency. Officials have not released a cause of death; the medical examiner will determine the official cause and timing of the death.
