Aaron Tillman dies in fatal Florida kayaking incident
Aaron Tillman dies in fatal Florida kayaking incident
Fatal Florida kayaking accident claims life of Aaron Tillman – Obituary
A Florida community is mourning the loss of 18-year-old Aaron Tillman, who tragically drowned while kayaking with a friend.
Tillman’s body was discovered in Lake McLeod in Eagle Lake, Florida, early on the morning of September 2, following a search that lasted nearly 14 hours, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The search was led by marine unit deputies who found Tillman in approximately 13 feet of water. Tillman had been missing since the previous day when he and a 19-year-old woman took to the lake in a kayak.
Neither of them wore a life jacket, and it was later revealed that Tillman could not swim and had no prior experience with kayaking.
Rescue efforts began around 3 p.m. on Sunday, with multiple agencies including Polk County Fire Rescue joining the search.
The woman who was with Tillman reported that she jumped into the water to swim, and when she came back up, she saw Tillman struggling but was unsure if he had fallen in or gone in intentionally.
Despite the attempts by the woman and a nearby witness to help, Tillman could not be rescued in time.
The sudden death of Tillman has left his friends, teammates, and coaches at Ambassadors Christian Academy in Winter Haven in shock.
Football coach Eryk Anglin described Tillman as a respectful and honorable young man who always encouraged his team to listen to their coaches.
A GoFundMe page has been set up in Tillman’s honor, highlighting the positive impact he had on those around him.
Organizer Brandy Smith described him as “one of the most beautiful souls you could ever meet.”
Anglin expressed the deep sense of loss felt by the entire school community, noting how much Tillman will be missed.
Aaron Tillman dies in fatal Florida kayaking incident Fatal Florida kayaking accident claims life of Aaron Tillman – Obituary A Florida community is mourning the loss of 18-year-old Aaron Tillman, who tragically drowned while kayaking with a friend. Tillman’s body was discovered in Lake McLeod in Eagle Lake, Florida, early on the morning of September…
Aaron Tillman dies in fatal Florida kayaking incident Fatal Florida kayaking accident claims life of Aaron Tillman – Obituary A Florida community is mourning the loss of 18-year-old Aaron Tillman, who tragically drowned while kayaking with a friend. Tillman’s body was discovered in Lake McLeod in Eagle Lake, Florida, early on the morning of September…