Rescue crews from the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office and several partner agencies spent Saturday scouring the waters beneath the Sunshine Skyway Bridge after a man went into Tampa Bay and did not resurface. Boats and aircraft worked the area as traffic slowed on the bridge, but authorities have not released the man's name or how he ended up in the water.
What deputies say
The initial call to dispatch came in around 11:30 a.m., and deputies said the man still had not resurfaced as of 1:45 p.m., according to WWSB. The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is leading the response and coordinating with marine and fire units that converged on the scene.
Search response
Multiple agencies, including marine units, county deputies and aerial teams, were working the water near the bridge as the search continued for the missing man, as reported by FOX 13 News. Officials said they did not yet have confirmed details on how the man entered the water and that more information would be released when available.
Traffic and witnesses
Traffic cameras showed backups in the southbound lanes of the Skyway as drivers slowed to watch the emergency response, and bystanders posted that they saw police boats and a helicopter working over the bay, per WTSP. Crews held a perimeter on the water while search teams methodically worked the channel beneath the bridge.
Why searches here are complicated
The Sunshine Skyway spans a busy stretch of Tampa Bay where strong currents and heavy commercial traffic can make it difficult to locate someone in the water, according to the Florida State Parks page for the nearby Skyway Fishing Pier State Park. The same waters have seen both rescues and recoveries in recent years. One May 2025 case, a May 2025 boater rescue involving Coast Guard crews and local agencies, underscored how challenging conditions can get around the bridge.
What to watch for next
The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said it will continue the search effort and provide updates when there is new information, and local outlets are monitoring developments, as noted by FOX 13 News. Anyone with information is asked to contact the sheriff's office. As of Saturday evening, officials had not released the man's identity or his condition.
