Local first responders kept busy this Memorial Day weekend
STAFF REPORT – The Boca Grande Fire Department, Lee County EMS and the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office was busy this past Memorial Day weekend with multiple calls that included a golf cart accident, an electrical fire, numerous boater distress calls and a death investigation.
On Friday, May 28 at 9:25 a.m. the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and first responders were called to the main channel of Eldred’s Marina, 6301 Boca Grande Causeway, for a death investigation. Upon arrival they found a construction barge boom arm had fallen on Otis Long, 53, of Port Charlotte. Witnesses at the scene immediately attempted CPR on Mr. Long, but it was obvious his injuries were incompatible with life. The Sheriff’s Office lists the incident as still under investigation.
On Saturday, May 29 at approximately noon the Boca Grande Fire Department responded to Kappy’s Market, 5800 Gasparilla Road, for a commercial building fire. The store was evacuated as firefighters located the source of an electrical fire, a rolling cooler. The monetary amount of damage done to the store is unavailable at this time.
On Sunday, May 30 at 12:16 p.m. the Boca Grande Fire Department was notified of a near-drowning that occurred on Cayo Costa. That call was handled by the Upper Captiva Fire Department.
On Monday, May 31 at 10:09 p.m. the Boca Grande Fire Department was notified of a sailboat dragging its anchor in Charlotte Harbor, being blown back into the north end of the Boca Grande Bayou. The boat was headed for a collision with docks when the fire department responded and helped them to secure to the vessel.
On Wednesday, June 2 at 4:50 p.m. the Boca Grande Fire Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office were called to a golf cart vs. bush accident in the 100 block of 1st Street W. The driver of the cart was transported to Englewood Community Hospital.
