INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, Fla. – Deputies with the Brevard County and Indian River County Sheriff’s Offices rescued an 84-year-old man in a marshy area.
In a video posted Monday to social media, the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call for assistance from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office. The previous evening, a man had ventured out to take photographs at Fort Drum Marsh but had lost his way and become disoriented.
Deputies from the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office attempted to locate the individual using drones and ground searches. However, the thick brush and challenging terrain made the search difficult, and it took several hours before the man was found.
Around 3 a.m., Indian River County deputies reached the man but were unable to navigate back out in the dark.
In response to the request for help, Chief Pilot Coppola quickly assembled a skilled team before departing from Merritt Island.
Just before sunrise, the crew located the victim and the two sergeants in the woods.
A fire medic was lowered to the ground to assess the condition of the lost photographer, ensuring he was fit for extraction. After evaluation, they determined he could be secured in a “screamer suit,” allowing teams to hoist him up into the helicopter.
Once safely onboard, the victim was flown to a nearby location where Indian River County Fire Rescue awaited to provide necessary care and transport him to a hospital.
