Clearwater Man Died After Jumping Off Pontoon Boat into Shallow Water
First responders were dispatched to reports of a man seriously injured at about 4:36 p.m. on Sunday, May 28, 2017.
The incident occurred in the Gulf of Mexico on the north end of Three Rooker Island.
Marine deputies from the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office performed life-saving measures on 49 year-old Michael L Steller of Clearwater after he jumped off a pontoon boat into shallow waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
The vessel, a 23′ pontoon boat, was anchored on the north end of Three Rooker Island in approximately four feet of water.
Deputies say Steller jumped off a pontoon boat and was discovered unresponsive in the water.
Good Samaritans pulled Steller from the water and began life-saving measures.
Deputies arrived on scene and began utilizing an Automatic External Defibrillator (AED), lifesaving efforts.
Deputies Ryan Dunning and Stephen Kaselak performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), along with an unknown doctor and nurse on the island.
Fireboat 68 from Palm Harbor Fire Rescue responded and the patient was transported by Sunstar Paramedics to Florida Hospital North Pinellas with life-threatening injuries.
Michael Steller was later flown to Tampa General Hospital where he later died.
Investigators say alcohol was a factor in this incident.
The investigation continues.
[gmap-embed id=”18999″]