A Florida man (#FloridaMan), Ted Davis, 66, from Webster, jumped into the Chassahowitzka River to save his dog who had been pulled under the water by strong currents.
According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, a couple, Ted Davis and his wife Minnie Davis, were on their airboat in the inland waters of the Gulf of Mexico on the Chassahowitzka River when their dog jumped off the boat and into the water. Due to the strong inland tides, the dog was immediately pulled under water.
Ted Davis jumped into the water to save their dog and he too was dragged under water. Mr. Davis did not resurface and Mrs. Minnie Davis never saw him again. Mrs. Davis called 9-1-1 just before 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, June 26th. Neither Mr. Davis or the dog were wearing a life jacket.
At approximately 12:22 p.m., a Florida Wildlife Commission officer spotted Mr. Davis in the water near Bird Island. The Florida Wildlife Commission officer advised the Sheriff’s Office dispatchers that he believed Mr. Davis was deceased. Mr. Davis was removed from the water and transported to the Bayport Boat Ramp, where Hernando County Fire Rescue personnel were awaiting their arrival.
Upon arrival at the boat ramp, Mr. Davis was confirmed deceased by Hernando County Fire Rescue personnel.
The dog survived the incident and is believed to have been saved by Mr. Davis. “We believe the husband was able to save the dog and then the husband did not resurface,” Denise Moloney of the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office told media outlets.
