Fort Myers Beach man dies after kayak incident near Sanibel Causeway
A Fort Myers Beach man who was found in the water this morning near an overturned kayak this morning has died, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced this afternoon.
Mark Kocher, 61, was pronounced dead at a local hospital after emergency responders rescued him from the water near the Sanibel Causeway.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, the Sanibel Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard and Lee County EMS responded to the single-vessel incident near the Sanibel Causeway.
Preliminary information indicates one person was found unresponsive in the water near an overturned kayak just outside the Sanibel Causeway, according to the FWC. Rescue crews transported the person to the Sanibel Boat Ramp, where CPR was performed. The individual was later transported to a nearby hospital.
At approximately 12:20 pm The FWC received an update from the hospital that Kocher was declared deceased as a result of this incident.
In an announcement, the FWC extended “our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Kocher during this difficult time,” FWC spokesperson Bradley Johnson said.
This is still an active investigation, with FWC serving as the lead agency. No additional information is available at this time. An update will be provided as more details become available.