What started as a quiet predawn hour along Fort Lauderdale's Riverwalk turned tragic early Sunday when a man was pulled from the New River near downtown and later died at a local hospital. Witnesses along the waterfront tried to haul him out of the water before first responders arrived, but their efforts were not enough. Police say they are still working to figure out how he ended up in the river.
What Authorities Say
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department responded around 5:07 a.m. to reports of a person in the water in the 200 block of Southwest Second Avenue. Officers, Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue and the Broward Sheriff’s aviation unit searched the area and located the man in the river. He was taken to a Broward Health hospital, where he was pronounced dead. As reported by CBS Miami, detectives with the department’s homicide unit are handling the death investigation.
Good Samaritan's Account
A witness on the Riverwalk told Local 10 he jumped into the water in a desperate attempt to save the man. “I went in myself, I grabbed him by his two hands,” he said, explaining that he slipped while trying to keep hold of the victim, who then went under and did not resurface. The harrowing account is a grim reminder of how quickly a rescue can unravel in dark, moving water.
Investigation Underway
Police have classified the death as undetermined for now, though it appears to be a drowning as detectives piece together what happened before the man was pulled from the river. WSVN reported that the man was taken to Broward Health and pronounced dead and that officials are urging anyone with information to contact investigators. Detectives have released few additional details while the inquiry continues.
River Safety and Recent Incidents
The New River has seen its share of recent emergencies. In May the Miami Herald reported on a freight-train collision that threw a man into the river, a crash that also ended in death. Local authorities and health officials frequently note that many drownings are preventable and stress basic guidance for bystanders, including calling 911 immediately and performing CPR when it is safe to do so. Broward County's drowning-prevention guide outlines common risk factors and practical steps residents can take to lower those risks around canals, rivers and pools.
How to Report Tips
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or who may have video from the area to contact the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. CBS Miami reports that the department’s homicide unit is overseeing the death investigation. Officials said tips can be submitted by phone or online to help detectives reconstruct the man’s final moments in the water.
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