Man dies during Christmas Day boating accident on George Lake

TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) - One person has died after a boating accident involving four people Christmas Day. 

It happened just before 2 p.m. Tuesday on George Lake in Tampa, Florida. 

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office says four people were on the 14-foot vessel when it overturned. 

Three of the people were able to hold onto the side of the overturned boat, but the fourth person on the boat, a man went missing.

He was later found by the HCSO Aviation Team. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Dive Team brought him back to shore and tried to revive him with CPR. He was taken to Florida Hospital by Hillsborough County Fire Rescue, where he was pronounced deceased.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said the man was under water for about 40 minutes.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Spokesperson Danny Alvarez said the victim could not swim, and there were no life jackets on the boat.

“If we had just had that, we wouldn't be here today. So, on Christmas Day of all days to have such a tragic event is heartbreaking for us all, and our hearts go out to their families,” said Alvarez.

FWC is investigating the incident. Its officers extended their condolences to the families of the individuals involved in the incident.