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Cops: Man found dead under tree as Hurricane Hermine hits Florida

Marion deputies say no foul play suspected, appears to be Hermine-related

OCALA, Fla. – Marion County deputies say a man was found dead under a tree in a wooded area in Ocala as Hurricane Hermine slammed into Florida early Friday.

The man, identified as John Mayes, 56, was apparently sleeping in a tent behind Diamond Oil near Ocala when the tree fell on their campsite.

Deputies said three people were in a tent in a wooded area, and two were able to get out from under the debris to call 911.

Capt. Chip Wildly, director of Marion County's emergency management agency, says Mayes was discovered around 7:35 a.m. Friday by people who were reporting to work. No further details were immediately available.

No foul play is suspected, deputies said, adding that the death appears to be Hurricane Hermine-related.

Gov. Rick Scott says no other deaths or major injuries have been reported.

Hermine made landfall with a furious mix of rain, whistling winds and ocean surge just after 1 a.m.    Hermine was the first hurricane to hit Florida in more than a decade when it came ashore early Friday as a Category 1 storm.

Check back for more on this story.

 


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