Man drowns in West Palm Beach canal

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - The search for a man who went missing in a canal in West Palm Beach Sunday afternoon ended after West Palm Beach police found the man unconscious, 30 minutes after being called to the scene.

The man was rushed to the hospital where he later died, according to Allan Ortman, spokesman for West Palm Beach Police Department.

Sargeant Carl Cooper said the man, who police believe was homeless, was camping under the bridge on the 2100 block of 45th Street when he attempted to swim across the canal to the other side around 4:50 p.m.

Witnesses told investigators the man went under the water and never resurfaced.

Police called out several divers and a sharpshooter in the event an alligator had pulled the man under the water.

Police said they had to close 45th Street to vehicular traffic to protect the public in case the sharpshooter had to fire his rifle.

The name or age of the man has not been released pending notification of relatives.