Local kayaker dead after incident close to causeway
A Fort Myers Beach man found unresponsive in the water near the Sanibel Causeway has died.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. Feb. 4, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Sanibel Police Department, U.S. Coast Guard and Lee County EMS responded to a single-vessel incident close to the causeway, according to a statement from the FWC.
Preliminary information indicates Mark S. Kocher, 60, of Fort Myers Beach, was found unresponsive near an overturned kayak. Rescue crews transported him to the Sanibel Boat Ramp, where CPR was performed.
Kocher was later transported to a nearby hospital.
At approximately 12:20 p.m., the hospital declared Kocher deceased as a result of the incident.
“On behalf of all of the FWC, we would like to extend our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Kocher during this difficult time,” Public Information Officer Bradley Johnson shared.
No additional information was available.
“This is still an active investigation, with FWC serving as the lead agency,” he shared.
“An update will be provided as more details become available,” Johnson added.
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