A weekend outing near a popular Florida Keys sandbar ended in tragedy Saturday afternoon when a 50-year-old man died after diving into shallow water near Marvin Key in the Lower Florida Keys.
People on nearby boats told authorities they saw the man dive in, then later found him unresponsive. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers pulled him from the water and brought him to shore. He was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island, where he was pronounced dead.
What officials said
According to the Miami Herald, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office identified the man as Edward Eugene Stills, 50, of Asheville, North Carolina. The sheriff's office told the paper the incident happened around 3:15 p.m. Saturday after observers saw Stills dive into shallow water. He was later discovered unresponsive.
Response and investigation
Local reporting from WXII confirmed that Florida Fish and Wildlife officers brought Stills ashore and that he was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center, where he later died. WXII reported that authorities do not suspect foul play and that an autopsy is pending.
About Marvin Key
Marvin Key sits roughly 10 to 15 miles northeast of Key West and is a popular weekend spot for boaters because of its beaches and sandbars, the Miami Herald notes. The island is uninhabited and has no lifeguard patrols, so visitors depend on fellow boaters and marine agencies if something goes wrong.
Monroe County and marine authorities routinely remind visitors to be especially careful around shallow sandbars and to keep a close eye on swimmers. This story will be updated if officials release autopsy results or additional details.
