An early fishing trip at Barnett Park turned into an intense search effort after a man did not return as expected, prompting Orange County deputies to flood the area around the popular park lake. Dive teams and aviation units were seen working over the water and along the shoreline as crews scoured both the lake and its banks. Deputies arrived at the scene around 8:54 a.m., and the search was still underway.
What officials are saying
The Orange County Sheriff's Office said deputies responded to Barnett Park at 8:54 a.m. and deployed dive crews and a sheriff's office helicopter to assist in the search, according to ClickOrlando.
Where the search is focused
The search centered on Barnett Park, the county recreation complex along West Colonial Drive. The county's website lists Barnett Park at 4801 W. Colonial Dr., Orlando, and shows the park's lake where deputies concentrated diving and shoreline searches, per the Orange County Government.
What comes next
WFTV's Channel 9 reported that an update was expected within hours as crews continued to comb the area, according to WFTV. We will update when the sheriff's office releases further information.
