Overview
- The coordinated rescue, which unfolded Saturday about two miles off St. Cloud on East Lake Tohopekaliga, brought all six people to shore.
- Osceola County’s STAR helicopter found the sinking boat around 1 p.m. and guided surface crews from the sheriff’s office, St. Cloud Police, and fire rescue, with help from a Good Samaritan.
- A wind advisory with gusts near 20 to 25 mph churned up choppy water, and a thunderstorm passed through after 1:25 p.m., which officials said could have made the rescue far more dangerous.
- Some passengers entered the water as the bow dipped under, the vessel later fully submerged, and fire rescue evaluated everyone on shore with no serious injuries reported.
- Police and sheriff’s offices released body-camera and helicopter footage on Tuesday and Wednesday, and father‑son marine officers Michael and Shayne Macdonald said their training and teamwork drove the outcome.