Man Drowns After Boat Capsizes Off Panama City, Florida

Gerry McGill — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:56:00 GMT

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that a man drowned over the weekend off of Panama City, Florida as rough weather pounded the Florida Panhandle. The victim was identified as 55 year-old Morris Miller of Tallahassee. Miller and 33 year-old Archie White were in a 21 foot boat that capsized Saturday afternoon. White was able to swim to nearby Shell Island but Miller's body was found by rescue workers around 6 p.m. Saturday.

Despite the fact that a National Weather Service "high surf advisory" warning of rip currents and high winds was in effect at the time, NEITHER MAN WAS WEARING A LIFE JACKET. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on it's website : myfwc.com recommends operators and passengers wear life jackets all the time while underway, noting that "The U.S. Coast Guard estimates that life jackets could have saved the lives of over 80% of boating fatality victims". That certainly seems to be the case here.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Gerry McGill

Biloxi / Gulfport Personal Injury Lawyer - boat capsizes

Man Drowns After Boat Capsizes Off Panama City, Florida