Two boaters were still unaccounted for Sunday after an accident on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven on Saturday, according to officials. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the incident followed an anchoring accident involving a couple, Velky Velasquez, 38, and Orlando Ortiz, 32, who were celebrating their anniversary by chartering a boat for the afternoon. The couple, who were said to have no boating experience and had to take a course beforehand, also brought their friend Jeffrey Marrero and his two children, ages 10 and 8. “It’s a tough day on the water,” Judd said. “The wind is blowing about 20 mph. There’s a two-foot white-capped section and it’s a cool afternoon.” Despite the rough waters, the group decided to drop anchor in the middle of the lake. According to the sheriff, Velasquez jumped into the water with the anchor but did not tie it to the boat beforehand. “She’s just very inexperienced, so she thinks you have to get in the water, set the anchor and tie it to the boat,” Judd said. Just then, the boat began to float away and Velasquez began to struggle, so Ortiz and Marrero jumped in to help. However, the sheriff said, as the three boaters tried to return to the boat, they were unable to catch up with the vessel. While Velasquez managed to stay afloat, her partner and their friend were in trouble. “Miss Velasquez said they were having a hard time staying in the water,” Judd said. Marrero’s 10-year-old child was able to call 911, who notified law enforcement of the situation. Judd said the entire incident happened in front of the children. “The 10-year-old was basically responsible for saving the only lady,” the sheriff said. Responding deputies were able to get help from a fisherman at the scene to search for victims, which led them to rescue Velazquez. However, the boat carrying Marrero’s two children ended up in the marshy area of the lake. A deputy was able to reach the children after entering alone. According to Judd, the two missing men are believed to have drowned. The Marine PCSO is being assisted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in searching for the men’s bodies. Judd said first responders will not end the search until their bodies are found. “We don’t let anybody’s loved one stay in a lake and we show up the next morning,” he said. “They were there. We are involved. We are looking for these two missing gentlemen as if they were our brothers or our children.” He said the men could be at the bottom of the lake or somewhere in the 16 feet of water. “Eventually they will float if we can’t. While the lake is next to LegoLand, the theme park released a statement saying the incident did not happen at its attraction: “There was a boating accident yesterday at Lake Eloise. While the incident did not occur on our attraction and is not related to us in any way, our staff is keeping the family comfortable and the hotel boardwalk is being used as a command center. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. Please contact with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office for any further inquiries.” – LegoLand Florida Resort The sheriff praised the resort for their assistance in the search and recovery operation, even though they were not involved in the incident. “LegoLand couldn’t have a better community partner,” Judd said. Top Headlines: Spring Breakers Face Flight Delays In Orlando Brevard County Woman Accused Of Threatening McDonald’s Workers With Gun ‘It Didn’t Feel Real’: Florida Surfer Injured In Shark Attack Describes Scary Encounter
Two boaters are still unaccounted for after an accident on Lake Eloise in Winter Haven on Saturday, according to officials.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said the incident followed an anchoring accident involving a couple, Velky Velasquez, 38, and Orlando Ortiz, 32, who were celebrating their one-year anniversary by renting a boat for the afternoon.
The couple, who were said to have no boating experience and had to take a course beforehand, also brought their friend Jeffrey Marrero and his two children, ages 10 and 8.
“It’s a tough day on the water,” Judd said. “The wind is blowing about 20 mph. There’s a two-foot chop with white caps and it’s a cool afternoon.
Despite the rough waters, the group decided to drop anchor in the middle of the lake. According to the sheriff, Velasquez jumped into the water with the anchor but did not tie it to the boat beforehand.
“She’s just very inexperienced, so she thinks you have to get in the water, set the anchor and tie it to the boat,” Judd said.
Just then, the boat began to drift away and Velasquez began to struggle, so Ortiz and Marrero jumped in to help.
However, the sheriff said as the three boaters tried to get back to the boat, they were unable to catch up. While Velasquez managed to stay afloat, her partner and their friend were in trouble.
“Miss Velasquez said that [saw] they struggle to stay around the water,” Judd said.
Marrero’s 10-year-old child was able to call 911, who notified law enforcement of the situation. Judd said the entire incident happened in front of the children.
“The 10-year-old was basically responsible for saving the only lady,” the sheriff said.
Responding deputies were able to get help from a fisherman at the scene to search for victims, which led them to rescue Velasquez.
But the boat carrying Marrero’s two children ended up in the marshy part of the lake. A deputy was able to reach the children after entering alone.
According to Judd, the two missing men are believed to have drowned.
The PCSO Marine Unit is being assisted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office in searching for the men’s bodies.
Judd said first responders will not end the search until their bodies are found.
“We don’t let anybody’s loved one stay in a lake and we show up the next morning,” he said. “They were there. We are involved. We are looking for these two missing gentlemen as if they were our brothers or children.
He said the men could be at the bottom of the lake or somewhere in the 16 feet of water.
“Eventually they will surface if we can’t find them in the meantime,” he said.
Although the lake is located next to LegoLand, the theme park released a statement saying the incident did not happen at its attraction:
“Yesterday there was a boating accident on Lake Eloise. Although the incident did not occur at our attraction and is not related to us in any way, our staff is keeping the family comfortable and the hotel boardwalk is being used as a command center. thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. Please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office with further inquiries.”
– LegoLand Florida Resort
The sheriff praised the resort for their assistance in the search and recovery operation, even though they were not involved in the incident.
“LegoLand couldn’t be a better partner to the community,” Judd said.
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