Authorities found the body of a missing student in the depths of Lake Fairview in Orlando, Florida, after a lightning strike capsized a row boat.
Authorities began searching for the missing student Thursday after a rowboat containing five students, all believed to be middle school aged, capsized after a lightning bolt hit the area. Following a rigorous hours-long search for the child, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit recovered the student’s body around 5:15 p.m. Friday.
“We are incredibly saddened by this incident and appreciate the efforts of the multiple agencies who worked together over the past 24 hours to assist in the rescue, including Orlando Police Department, Orange County Sheriff’s Office, Orange County Fire Rescue and Seminole County Sheriff’s Office,” the Orlando Fire Department said in a statement. “From our entire department and the first responders on scene, our hearts go out to the families and friends impacted by this tragedy.”
together over the past 24 hours to assist in the rescue, including @OrlandoPolice, @OrangeCoSheriff, @OCFireRescue, and @SeminoleSO.
From our entire department and the first responders on scene, our hearts go out to the families and friends impacted by this tragedy. (2/2)
— Orlando Fire Dept (@OrlandoFireDept) September 17, 2022
The students were all members of North Orlando Rowing,a non-profit group. The organization said it is “devastated” and “heartbroken” by the loss.
“As has been reported, we learned we lost one of our rowers in this tragic accident,” the organization said. “The NOR family is devastated and heartbroken. We are working together to support the family and our rowing family.”
The student attended the Annunciation Catholic Academy, a K-8 school in Altamonte Springs. The school issued a statement during the search asking the public to pray for the student and their community.
“Please pray for our student, missing in the tragic boating accident on Lake Fairview, and his family. We also ask that you keep our community in your prayers as well. May we find comfort in the loving arms of Jesus and each other. We ask our Blessed Mother to pray for us during this difficult time,” the school said.
The Orlando dive team performed a rescue mission to find the students, Orlando Fire Department spokesperson Jennifer DeSantis previously told the Daily Caller. One student had to be hospitalized, while the other three were taken home after being treated at the scene. (RELATED: Authorities Search For Missing Middle School Student After Lightning Strike Capsizes Boat In Florida)
The Orange County Fire Department, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office, and Orange County Sheriff’s Office all contributed to the search. Orange County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit arrived to the scene at 5:30 a.m. with two boats equipped with sonar to help with the search.