On Monday, March 11, 2013, the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team was requested to assist the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office with the search for two men that entered the Suwannee River.
At approximately 8:00pm, the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office responded to Log Landing in reference to two men that had entered the river to assist an 8 year old child. The 8 year old was in distress in the Suwannee River and the two men dove into the water to assist the child. The two men became distressed in the water while trying to save the child. Two brave citizens on land dove into the river in an attempt to save all three people. The child was brought safely to shore by the citizens but unfortunately the men were not able to get out of the river.
Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office deputies began an immediate search of the river banks but could not locate the two men. Officers from the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission sent several boats and crews to the river to assist the GCSO. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team arrived at approximately 11:00 pm with multiple divers. Deputies and Officers searched throughout the night in a coordinated effort to find the missing men.
The exhaustive and comprehensive search lasted over 14 hours but has not yet led to the recovery of the victims. Deputies from the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, Dixie County Sheriff’s Office and Officers from FWC will continue to monitor the Suwannee River in hopes of finding the two victims. The FWC will be sending an aviation asset to assist in the search.
The names of the missing men are not being released at this time pending further investigation. The Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office will release additional information as this case moves forward.
