LEHIGH ACRES, FL – A tragic incident unfolded on Wednesday afternoon when a man was found dead in a pond in the Sherwood Community near Fort Myers. The quiet neighborhood was stirred as authorities responded to the distress call, prompting a large-scale emergency operation on State Road 82.
Residents of the Silver Birch Way area watched in concern as multiple emergency teams, including Lehigh Acres Fire, Fort Myers Fire, Iona McGregor Fire, and Lee County EMS, converged on the scene. The response came after a report of a possible drowning in Lake Trent, a significant body of water in the neighborhood.
Witnesses described a helicopter hovering above while divers searched the depths of the pond. “The helicopter was alarming. I’ve seen it in action before, and it always means something serious,” said a local resident. After about an hour of intense searching, divers recovered the body of an adult male.
The Fort Myers Police Department confirmed that the man, believed to be in his late 50s, was pronounced dead at the scene. The circumstances surrounding his presence in the pond remain unclear, with authorities yet to determine if foul play was involved or if it was a tragic accident.
Neighbors expressed their shock, noting that swimming in the retention ponds was uncommon for the area. “It’s unusual for someone, especially of his age, to be swimming in these ponds,” commented a witness who observed the recovery operation.
As the investigation continues, authorities have not released the identity of the deceased or further details about the incident. The community remains on edge, awaiting updates that might shed light on the unfortunate event.
Emergency personnel worked diligently for hours to safely retrieve the body, ensuring all protocols were followed. The scene was cleared later in the day, leaving residents with more questions than answers about what led to the man’s untimely death.
The tragic discovery has left the Sherwood Community in mourning as they await more information from officials. Investigators are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward as they piece together the events leading up to the drowning.