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Boater missing after vessel flips over on Lake Osborne near Lake Worth Beach

Driver ejected after boat overturns
Divers were searching for the operator of a boat that flipped over on Lake Osborne near Lake Worth Beach on Jan. 7, 2023.
Posted at 12:58 PM, Jan 07, 2023
and last updated 2023-01-07 19:21:57-05

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — Rescue crews searched for the driver of a boat that overturned Saturday morning on Lake Osborne, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.

The vessel flipped over while on the lake, which is located near Lake Worth Beach, just after 11 a.m.

Divers with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue and the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit searched for the operator of the boat near John Prince Park Campground.

Divers were searching for the operator of a boat that flipped over on Lake Osborne near Lake Worth Beach on Jan. 7, 2023.
Divers were searching for the operator of a boat that flipped over on Lake Osborne near Lake Worth Beach on Jan. 7, 2023.

Authorities with Palm Beach County Fire Rescue said they used rescue swimmers, a paddleboarder and multiple divers to search the area.

Video recorded at the scene showed a heavy law enforcement presence along the shores of the lake with crime scene tape posted.

A deputy at the scene said the water in the area is about 15 feet deep.

Fire Rescue said several Good Samaritans helped in the search, including one man who offered divers the use of his boat.

Divers were searching for the operator of a boat that flipped over on Lake Osborne near Lake Worth Beach on Jan. 7, 2023.
Divers were searching for the operator of a boat that flipped over on Lake Osborne near Lake Worth Beach on Jan. 7, 2023.

Officials said this assistance allowed their divers to get to the search area quickly.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. Thomas Reyes said their crews made a series of dives in search of the victim.

"It is very difficult because somebody's life is on the line, and we always want things to come out with a good ending with a happy ending," Reyes said. "Unfortunately, that doesn't always happen, but our crews are good. They have the support of each other and we get through this together."

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. Thomas Reyes, Jan. 7, 2022
Palm Beach County Fire Rescue Capt. Thomas Reyes along with divers from his agency responded to Lake Osborne in search of the missing boater on Jan 7, 2022.

At about 12:20 p.m., fire rescue said the situation turned into a "recovery operation" and was turned over to the sheriff's office and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Officials said it's unclear how the boat flipped over.

The victim's name has not been released.