By Staff Report
A 23-year-old Gulf Breeze resident died following an apparent drowning incident at Vortex Springs in Ponce de Leon on Wednesday, June 10.
According to an incident report, deputies with the Holmes County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to Vortex Springs at approximately 6:15 p.m. and spoke with a witness who reported that his friend had gone underwater while swimming and had not resurfaced for approximately 10 minutes.
As a deputy prepared to enter the water, two swimmers located the individual and brought him to shore. The swimmer was unresponsive and showed no signs of breathing or a pulse, and the report noted that his face and lips appeared blue when he was removed from the water.
Emergency personnel immediately began lifesaving measures, including CPR. Holmes County Sheriff John Tate said deputies were able to regain a pulse before the swimmer was transported to a local hospital.
The 23-year-old was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
