A Volusia County sheriff’s sergeant plunged into cold marina waters late Sunday night to rescue a 72-year-old man who had tumbled from his wheelchair and was clinging to a pipe to survive.
Race Against Time Behind Locked Gates
Deputies responded to the marina at 2700 North Peninsula Avenue in New Smyrna Beach around 8:55 p.m. after a concerned caller reported hearing a splash followed by desperate cries for help. The emergency presented an immediate challenge: the area sat behind a locked gate, blocking standard access routes. Sergeant Leven arrived first on scene and quickly located the elderly man struggling in the dark water, holding onto a pipe to keep his head above the surface.
Without hesitation, Leven entered the marina equipped with a flotation buoy. The sergeant reached the man and provided the buoy to help him stay afloat while guiding him safely back to dry ground. The entire rescue unfolded in minutes, preventing what could have become a tragic drowning incident in the coastal Florida community.
Medical Evaluation and Recovery
The New Smyrna Beach Fire Department arrived on scene to evaluate the rescued man’s condition following his ordeal in the water. Medical personnel conducted a thorough assessment, checking for hypothermia, injuries from the fall, and other complications that can arise from such incidents. Despite spending time submerged in marina water, the 72-year-old declined additional medical treatment or transport to a hospital, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office.
Accessibility and Safety Questions
The incident raises questions about wheelchair accessibility and safety barriers at marina facilities. The man’s wheelchair somehow ended up in the water at a location behind a secured gate, suggesting potential gaps in protective infrastructure. Marina facilities throughout Florida serve elderly residents and visitors, many with mobility challenges who rely on wheelchairs and similar devices. The locked gate that complicated the rescue response also prevented the initial witness from providing immediate assistance, highlighting the tension between security measures and emergency access needs in waterfront facilities.
Deputy Training Proves Lifesaving
Sergeant Leven’s quick response demonstrates the value of water rescue training for law enforcement in coastal communities. Volusia County deputies regularly encounter water emergencies along the Atlantic coast and inland waterways. The successful rescue prevented a potential fatality and reunited the man with his family following a frightening accident that could have ended differently without the sergeant’s decisive action and proper equipment deployment in challenging nighttime conditions.