MARTIN COUNTY, FL — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the recovery of 74-year-old James Summer’s body, a seasonal resident from Indianapolis, who went missing in a water-related incident. The recovery took place approximately 50 yards from the dock at Hosford Park boat launch, where he was last seen.
The incident occurred around 6 PM yesterday when Mr. Summer was reportedly attempting to launch his boat into the water. The boat began to drift away, leading Mr. Summer to swim after it in an effort to regain control. A family member witnessed him struggling to climb aboard before slipping back into the water and not resurfacing.
A joint search operation involving the Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Martin County Fire Rescue, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) was initiated. The search faced challenges, including zero visibility, underwater debris, and the presence of alligators. Specialized sonar equipment provided by FWC detected Mr. Summer’s body in about 12 feet of water, leading to the recovery by the Martin County Fire Rescue’s Dive Team just before noon today.