Overview
- Beach Safety crews found a 60-year-old man being held afloat by a kayak operator about 80–100 meters offshore; lifeguards gave aid and he was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
- The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation into the drowning after Beach Safety recovered the unresponsive man and transferred the case to law enforcement.
- Later the same evening officials launched an active search for a different missing swimmer reported between 300 S. Beach Street and International Speedway Boulevard with about 18 lifeguards conducting a line search.
- The U.S. Coast Guard was set to respond and photos from the scene showed first responders and a helicopter while Sheriff Mike Chitwood reported nearly 200 water rescues that day.
- The incidents highlight heavy demand on Daytona Beach safety teams and families should expect continued searches, possible extended patrols, and official updates as investigations and rescue efforts proceed.