Two boaters were still missing Sunday after an incident at Lake Eloise in Winter Haven, according to officials. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the incident came after an anchor accident involving a couple, 38-year-old Velcky Velasquez and 32-year-old Old Orlando Ortiz, who were celebrating their one-year anniversary by having rented a boat for the afternoon. The couple, who are said to be inexperienced in handling boats and had to take a course beforehand, also brought friend Jeffrey Marrero and their two children, aged 10 and 8 years old. “It’s a tough day on the water,” Judd said. “The wind is blowing at about 20 miles an hour. There’s a two-foot white-capped sloop and it’s a windy afternoon.” Despite the rough water, the group decided to anchor in the middle of the lake. According to the sheriff, Velasquez jumped into the water with the anchor, but she hadn’t tied it to the boat before tying it to the boat,” Judd said. At this point, the boat began to drift away and Velasquez began to fight back, so Ortiz and Marrero jumped in to help. However, the sheriff said when the three boaters tried to get back to the boat, they were unable to catch the ship. While Velasquez managed to stay afloat, her partner and friend struggled. “Miss Velasquez said she was having trouble staying afloat,” Judd said of the situation. Judd said the entire incident happened in front of the children. “The 10-year-old is largely responsible for us rescuing the one lady,” the sheriff said. Responding MPs were able to get help from a local fisherman to search for victims, which ended up rescuing Velasquez. However, the boat carrying Marrero’s two children ended up in a swampy region of the lake. A deputy could get to the children after going in himself. According to Judd, the two missing men are said to have drowned. The PCSO Marine Unit is receiving help from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in locating the men’s bodies. Judd said first responders would not end the search until their bodies were found. “We don’t allow anyone’s loved ones to stay in a lake and we show up the next morning,” he said. “Was there. Were involved. We’re looking for these two missing gentlemen as if they were our brothers or our children.” He said the men could be at the bottom of the lake or anywhere in the 16-foot water. “They will eventually swim if we can’t to locate them in the meantime,” he said. While the lake is adjacent to LegoLand, the theme park released a statement that the incident did not happen at its attraction: “Yesterday happened on the lake Eloise a boating incident did not occur at our attraction and is in no way associated with us, our staff offer comfort to the family and the hotel boardwalk is used as a command center. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. Please reach out for further questions to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.” — LegoLand Florida Resort The sheriff commended the resort for its assistance with the search and recovery operation n, although it was not involved in the incident. “LegoLand couldn’t be a better community partner,” said Judd. Top Headlines: Orlando flight delay travelers on spring break Brevard County woman accused of pointing McDonald’s worker with gun ‘It didn’t feel real’: Florida surfer injured in shark attack describes a frightening encounter
POLK COUNTY, Fla. —
Officials said two boaters were still missing Sunday after an incident at Lake Eloise in Winter Haven.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the incident came after an anchor accident involving a couple, 38-year-old Velcky Velasquez and 32-year-old Orlando Ortiz, who were celebrating their one-year anniversary by singing for rented a boat for the afternoon.
The couple, who are said to be inexperienced with boats and who had previously taken a course, also brought friend Jeffrey Marrero and their two children, aged 10 and 8.
“It’s a tough day on the water,” Judd said. “The wind is blowing at about 20 miles an hour. There’s a two-foot chop with white caps, and it’s a windy afternoon.”
Despite the rough water, the group decided to anchor in the middle of the lake. According to the sheriff, Velasquez jumped the anchor into the water but had not previously tied it to the boat.
“She’s just very inexperienced, so she thinks you have to get in the water, haul in the anchor and tie it to the boat,” Judd said.
At this point, the boat began to drift away and Velasquez began to fight back, so Ortiz and Marrero jumped in to help.
However, the sheriff said when the three boaters attempted to return to the boat, they were unable to catch the ship. While Velasquez managed to stay afloat, her partner and girlfriend struggled.
“Miss Velasquez said it [saw] they’re struggling to stay afloat,” Judd said.
Marrero’s 10-year-old child managed to call 911, which alerted law enforcement to the situation. Judd said the entire incident happened in front of the children.
“The 10-year-old is largely responsible for us rescuing the one lady,” the sheriff said.
Responding deputies were able to get help from a fisherman at the scene to search for victims, resulting in them rescuing Velasquez.
However, the boat carrying Marrero’s two children ended up in a swampy region of the lake. A deputy could get to the children after going in himself.
According to Judd, the two missing men are said to have drowned.
The PCSO Marine Unit is receiving help from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in their search for the men’s bodies.
Judd said first responders would not end the search until their bodies were found.
“We don’t allow a loved one to stay in a lake and we show up the next morning,” he said. “Was there. Were involved. We are looking for these two missing gentlemen as if they were our brothers or our children.”
He said the men could be at the bottom of the lake or anywhere in the 16-foot water.
“They will eventually swim if we can’t find them in the meantime,” he said.
While the lake is next to LegoLand, the theme park released a statement that the incident did not happen at its attraction:
“Yesterday there was a boating incident on Lake Eloise. Although the incident did not occur at our attraction and is in no way affiliated with us, our staff offer comfort to the family and the hotel promenade is used as a command center. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. Please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with additional questions.
– LegoLand Florida Resort
The sheriff commended the resort for their assistance with the search and recovery operation, even though they were not involved in the incident.
“LegoLand couldn’t have been a better partner for the community,” said Judd.
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