Watch: 6 saved from sinking boat in Florida lake amid hazardous weather as rescuers, Good Samaritan team up

Watch: Rescuers, Good Samaritan team up to save 6 from sinking boat in Florida lake | Fox Weather
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Published
May 6, 2026 10:26am EDT
Watch: 6 saved from sinking boat in Florida lake amid hazardous weather as rescuers, Good Samaritan team up
Officials noted that incidents like this serve as a critical reminder of the importance of monitoring weather conditions before heading out on the water.
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Olivia Stephens
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02:24
Watch: Rescuers and Good Samaritan team up to save 6 from sinking boat in Florida lake
Six passengers were saved from a sinking vessel Saturday amid hazardous weather conditions. The boat was found taking on water in the middle of East Lake Tohopekaliga, Florida. Through the quick, coordinated response from multiple crews, all aboard were rescued safely with no serious injuries reported.
LAKE TOHOPEKALIGA, Fla.  — Rescuers raced against the clock Saturday to save six people from a sinking boat after hazardous weather turned East Lake Tohopekaliga into a dangerous scene.
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The emergency unfolded rapidly, with video capturing the moment passengers began to put on life vests and throw items overboard to lighten the vessel.
A team effort from the Ag Marine Unit, patrol deputies, and the St. Cloud Police Department Marine Unit—assisted by a Good Samaritan—safely rescue all six passengers.
(Osceola County Sheriff's Office / Facebook)
On May 2, the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call reporting a vessel taking on water in the middle of the lake. Officials confirmed there were six people aboard.
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Rescue operations began around 1 p.m. after the Aviation (STAR) Unit located the vessel and guided surface crews to the scene.
Aerial views showed the extent of the damage, with the boat having taken on so much water that the stern appeared completely submerged.
Six passengers aboard a boat in East Lakes Tohopekaliga began taking on water amid hazardous weather conditions May 2. The photo here shows the stern looking completely submerged.
(Osceola County Sheriff's Office / Facebook)
A wind advisory had been issued earlier that day for Osceola County through the entire afternoon, according to the FOX Forecast Center.
Reported wind gusts reached 20 to 25 mph around the time of the rescue, creating choppy waters that could have hindered rescuers battling the wind and waves.
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Following the rescue, a sub-severe thunderstorm rolled through the area around 1:25 p.m., which would have worsened conditions significantly had the emergency still been ongoing.
Video shows the vessel rocking through the waves as it continued to rapidly take on water.
Six passengers aboard a boat in East Lakes Tohopekaliga began taking on water amid hazardous weather conditions May 2.
(Osceola County Sheriff's Office / Facebook)
"Just for the heads-up. They’re about to take some water up all over the bow, and once that happens, I’m afraid it’s going to go down quickly," you hear one officer say.
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As conditions deteriorated, some passengers entered the water before crews could reach them. It was a massive team effort from the Ag Marine Unit, patrol deputies, and the St. Cloud Police Department Marine Unit—assisted by a Good Samaritan—to safely rescue all six passengers.
A team effort from the Ag Marine Unit, patrol deputies, and the St. Cloud Police Department Marine Unit—assisted by a Good Samaritan—safely rescue all six passengers.
(Osceola County Sheriff's Office / Facebook)
According to the Sheriff’s Office, no serious injuries were reported.
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Officials noted that incidents like this serve as a critical reminder of the importance of monitoring weather conditions before heading out on the water.
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