Teenager dies after ‘free diving’ in waters off the Florida Keys coast, deputies say

A teenager died in a Florida Keys hospital Tuesday afternoon after what deputies called a “free-diving incident” about eight miles offshore earlier that day.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office did not release specific details about the incident, other than to say the 13-year-old boy was in about 25 feet of water with another 13-year-old when it happened.

They were off Duck Key in the Middle Keys around 3 p.m., said sheriffs office spokesman Adam Linhardt.

A boater took the boy to shore to the city of Marathon. Paramedics took him to Fishermen’s Hospital, where he died, Linhardt said.

The sheriff’s office added “foul play is not believed to be a factor in the incident that remains under investigation” and that “autopsy results are pending.

“This is a heartbreaking and tragic case,” Sheriff Rick Ramsay said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time.”

This story was originally published August 2, 2023 at 12:14 AM.