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Fisherman Dies After Jumping Into Water to Retrieve Fishing Rod: Reports

Zachary Stieber
By Zachary Stieber
April 15, 2019US News
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Fisherman Dies After Jumping Into Water to Retrieve Fishing Rod: Reports
A fisherman died after jumping into the water to retrieve his pole in West Palm Beach, Florida on April 13, 2019. (Google Maps)

A Florida man has died after jumping out of his boat to retrieve a fishing rod, according to reports.

The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit rushed to the Intracoastal Waterway in West Palm Beach on April 13 after receiving a report that a man jumped off his boat to try to grab the rod and hadn’t returned to his boat.

Divers with the West Palm Beach Fire Rescue went to the area and found his body approximately 10 feet below the surface, according to WPTV.

The man was rushed to a nearby hospital but he was pronounced dead.

West Palm Beach Assistant Fire Chief Brent Bloomfield told WPBF that the man was pulled from the water within 10 minutes after he fell into the waterway.

The victim has not been identified but a family member confirmed the death to WPBF. The man was fishing near Summa Beach on South Flagler Drive between East Lakewood Road and Plymouth Road.

An autopsy was scheduled, reported CBS 12. Deputies were also investigating the death.

Video: Monster Crocodile Chases Down Fishermen

Two fishermen in Australia’s Northern Territory had a terrifying encounter with a crocodile after it leapt from the water and chased down their catch, which they managed to record on camera.

Daniel was angling for barramundi with his friend Dac in a billabong when he caught a massive fish. Dac can be heard encouraging him in the video, telling him, “Keep pressure, keep pressure” on the line.

However, they weren’t the only ones fishing that day. A 13-foot saltwater crocodile had been watching their progress nearby, waiting for the perfect time to strike.

“[The barramundi] had gotten caught up in a bit of weed, and [Daniel] was putting a bit of pressure on it,” Dac told ABC Australia.

Eventually, Daniel was able to maneuver the barramundi free of the weeds and started reeling it in. As he reeled it in, the crocodile decided it was time to act.

“Everything escalated from there pretty quickly,” Dac said.

As the crocodile shot after the barramundi, Dac can be heard screaming in the video recording for Daniel to run. “Run back bro, run back!” he yelled.

“I wasn’t looking at Daniel, I just sort of hoped that he was running,” he said.

Instead of letting go of the line, Daniel “started bringing the fish faster and faster towards the bank, but the croc sort of matched the speed,” Dac added.

In the video, the crocodile can be seen chasing the line while Daniel runs backwards.

“Run, Daniel, run. Run, run, run. Oh no, he’s got it, pressure on. Pressure on. Keep the pressure,” Dac shrieked.

However, the crocodile wins the race, chomping down on the massive fish right off the line.

The two can be heard lamenting the loss of the “absolute beast of a fish” on the recording.

Dac explained to ABC Australia that they wanted the fish to take a photo and then they were going to let it go.

“We were shocked, we were sad,” Dac said. “I was disappointed for Daniel—it was a good fish.”

After gulping down the fish, “lure, line, all” the crocodile stayed where it was and so Dac and Daniel took “the long way” back around the lake, not taking any chances with the large reptile.

Despite losing the barramundi, Dac and Daniel said they still took home something from the encounter. “Probably the experience of a lifetime,” Dac said.

Reporter Tiffany Meier contributed to this report.

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