TAMPA, Fla. — A man and his 13-year-old daughter were rescued by deputies after their jet ski sank in a west-central Florida lake, authorities said.
According to a news release from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Christopher Snow, 31, and his daughter, Alexis Snow, were at Baker Creek Park in Thonotosassa around 6:50 p.m. EDT on Saturday.
About 90 minutes later, Snow’s girlfriend, Carolyn Joyce, arrived at the dock at the lake when the two had not returned home or answered cellphone calls, deputies said.
The woman spoke with Deputy Kevin Reich and asked for help, according to the news release.
Video from the sheriff’s office showed rescue crews using flashlights to search the water.
After about 40 minutes, Reich located the missing boaters, who had been treading water for nearly an hour, the sheriff’s office said.
“The swift response of our deputy and the assistance provided by the community played a crucial role in the successful rescue of Christopher and Alexis Snow,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. “We are relieved that they were returned to shore safely and without any injuries. It is scary to imagine what could have happened had this father and daughter not been wearing their life jackets.”
In a statement, Christopher Snow thanked the sheriff’s office and boaters who helped in the search after “noticing something wasn’t right.”
“My life jacket wasn’t sized properly, so this is a good reminder to make sure yours is fitted correctly,” Snow said.
