WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (WFLA) — Officials are searching a lake in Polk County for two people who are believed to have drowned on Saturday.
“Once they got here,” said David Phillips. “They were out on the water and they were searching right away.”
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said their marine unit is searching Lake Eloise in Winter Haven for two adults. Lake Eloise is the lake next to LEGOLAND.
“And then all before you know it, they’re pulling in the parking lot,” Phillips said. “First, two sheriff’s cars. Then a rescue squad, then a fire engine. There was probably five engines here.”
Phillips was fishing on Lake Summit when the calls came in and the hectic activity started at Lake Eloise around 5 p.m.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is continuing their search and recovery mission through Saturday night using side scan sonar.
“Unfortunately, there’s a lot of people that are crazy on the water,” Phillips said. “And there’s no common courtesy.”
Phillips fishes in the lakes of Winter Haven every week, and says some people are careless on the water.
“Somebody else may have caused a wake,” Phillips said. “Or was too close and that’s what caused them to fall over the boat.”
Authorities are asking people to avoid the area of Lake Eloise, Lake Summit and the Lake Summit boat ramp until further notice.
Phillips said Saturday, like every weekend, all the lakes in the area were very popular.
“If you come down here on a weekend,” Phillips explained. “This parking lot in which we’re in, you will find boats scattered all the way from one end to the other.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is assisting deputies with the search.
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