Editor’s Note: The Fernandina Beach Police Department was contacted by the Fernandina Observer at 11:45 a.m Saturday morning June 1. There is no updated information available.
Press Release Fernandina Beach Police Department – Thursday, May 30, 2013
James T. Hurley / Chief of Police
While patrolling the beach near Fort Clinch, a Fernandina Beach police officer
happened upon a distraught and frantic group of men that reported a drowning
incident that occurred just moments earlier.
Officer Mark Ocepek radioed for assistance at 4:32 PM and additional help
arrived in the form of Marine Units from the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office, the
Florida Water and Fish Commission, and the United States Coast Guard.
Officer’s scanned the beaches and rock jetties, but the young victim could not be
located.
At 6:30 PM the area was still being worked by the U.S. Coast Guard search
helicopter and rescue vessel, as well as Fernandina Beach police and EMS.
Caster Nova Gray, 17, of Nashville, GA was reportedly net fishing in shallow
water near Fort Clinch when he apparently stepped into deeper water or the
channel and immediately went under the water and did not surface. Gray
reportedly could not swim, which was later confirmed by his mother when notified
of this incident.
A companion, Hayward Collier, was close by and attempted to pull Gray to
safety, but was affected by the strong current and was unable to pull Gray from
under the water. Two others, Willie Frank Hallback, 61, and Greg Stewart, 15,
also from Nashville, GA were present and interviewed by investigators on the
scene.
Authorities are continuing the search for the victim.
June 1, 2013 11:50 a.m.