On 03/27/2012, two adult males departed the Orange springs Boat Ramp in an air boat (V-1).  After exiting the ramp area and entering the open waters of Lake Ocklawaha, V-1 overturned for an undetermined reason.  Both the operator and occupant were ejected into the water and came to the surface.  The occupant was wearing a personal floatation device (PFD) and supported the operator who was not wearing a PFD.  Approximately two hours later, the victims were seen by a local boater in a canoe, who went to assist them.  He towed the two into shallow water nearby.  The operator was unresponsive.  Marion County Sheriffs Deputies and EMS arrived and enlisted the help of another boater, who took them out to the canoe, recovered the victims and brought them to shore.  The operator was pronounced dead at the scene. The preliminary cause of death is acute cor pulmonale, acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by near drowning in conjunction with pre-existing conditions.  This is a preliminary cause only, subject to change upon completion of the Medical Examiners official report.
UNINCORPORATED                