Actions

Good Samaritan rescues missing boaters in water near Pine Island in Hernando County

Posted at 1:40 PM, May 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-05-28 04:57:42-04

YANKEETOWN, Fla. -- A Good Samaritan rescued two missing boaters wearing life jackets in the water near Pine Isand Saturday, officials said.

The Coast Guard began searching for 29-year-old James Hansen and 27-year-old Tyler Gomez at 8:30 a.m. after Hansen's finance, Jessica Honovik, called to report the two men left from Pine Island boat ramp to fish Friday morning, but did not return.

Hansen and Gomez were due back Friday night.

At 10:38 a.m., a Coast Guard crew located the boaters' 14-foot boat anchored three miles north of Pine Island boat ramp. The Hernando County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit arrived on scene to the boat and reported no one was aboard.

Shortly thereafter the men were reported safe after being rescued by the Good Samaritan. They were taken to Pine Island to be checked out by paramedics will be waiting.

No further information was released about the identity of the Good Samaritan.