Missing Florida Teens Found Safe After Hours at Sea
Two girls, lost for nearly 24 hours, were rescued from a shallow reef off Cedar Key, Florida.
Two teenage girls went missing on Monday afternoon after they set out on a black-and-white surfboard from the Cedar Key Fishing Pier area in Florida.
Authorities were alerted at approximately 4 PM when the girls failed to return to shore.
They were reported missing, prompting a search that involved helicopters, which struggled to locate them due to rough waves and darkness.
According to the Levy County Sheriff's Office, the girls remained on the surfboard while strong winds and currents carried them further away from the mainland, eventually leading them into open water where they had to endure the night without assistance.
A rescue operation was launched with the cooperation of local authorities and volunteers.
At around 8:30 AM on Tuesday, a volunteer named Will Pauling spotted the two teenagers clinging to a shell reef.
Pauling, along with two companions, quickly moved to provide help.
Scott Tummond, a representative from the Levy County Sheriff's Office, praised the resilience of the girls under difficult circumstances, stating, "These girls held strong even in the worst conditions.
It is incredible how strong they were."
The rescue operation involved both local law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard, in addition to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Authorities diligently searched over 2,500 square miles of water and air in their efforts to locate the missing individuals.
The girls were transported to a hospital for evaluation following their rescue.
They were reportedly suffering from the cold, and their hands and legs were covered in cuts, but they were alive, which was deemed the most important outcome.
Local authorities are urging the community to stay informed about weather conditions before venturing into the water and to use appropriate safety equipment.
Authorities were alerted at approximately 4 PM when the girls failed to return to shore.
They were reported missing, prompting a search that involved helicopters, which struggled to locate them due to rough waves and darkness.
According to the Levy County Sheriff's Office, the girls remained on the surfboard while strong winds and currents carried them further away from the mainland, eventually leading them into open water where they had to endure the night without assistance.
A rescue operation was launched with the cooperation of local authorities and volunteers.
At around 8:30 AM on Tuesday, a volunteer named Will Pauling spotted the two teenagers clinging to a shell reef.
Pauling, along with two companions, quickly moved to provide help.
Scott Tummond, a representative from the Levy County Sheriff's Office, praised the resilience of the girls under difficult circumstances, stating, "These girls held strong even in the worst conditions.
It is incredible how strong they were."
The rescue operation involved both local law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard, in addition to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Authorities diligently searched over 2,500 square miles of water and air in their efforts to locate the missing individuals.
The girls were transported to a hospital for evaluation following their rescue.
They were reportedly suffering from the cold, and their hands and legs were covered in cuts, but they were alive, which was deemed the most important outcome.
Local authorities are urging the community to stay informed about weather conditions before venturing into the water and to use appropriate safety equipment.
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