Second man drowns in the Santa Fe River in just six days

By Carrie A. Mizell

Frank Joseph Davis

Just six days after the body of a 25-year-old man was pulled from the Santa Fe River near the county park on SR 47, a second man drowned last Wednesday afternoon after jumping from a tree into the Santa Fe River.
The body of Frank Joseph Davis, 39, of Alachua County, was found by divers on Friday night some 30 feet from where he was last seen at a county boat ramp on NE 2nd Way.
According to Sheriff Daniel Slaughter, deputies responded to the county boat ramp at 5:50 p.m. and after gathering information from friends on scene, determined that Davis may have struck his head after jumping from a tree before his body ever hit the water.
“The water was very murky,” Slaughter stated. “People at the scene searched for Mr. Davis but could not locate him.”
Divers from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office discovered Davis’ body at 9:28 p.m.
According to Sheriff Slaughter, there was no evidence of foul play at the scene. The cause of death will officially be determined at a later date following an autopsy by the Medical Examiner’s Office.
Davis’ drowning marks the second drowning of the year in the Santa Fe River. Guillermo Hernandez, 25, drowned while wading near the river bank at Santa Fe River Park on Friday, July 17. According to witnesses, Hernandez could not swim and apparently stepped off the shoal area and into a deep trench.
Major Tony Smith of the Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office said that Davis’ drowning marks the fifth recent drowning in the tri-county area.
“Every one has been unique,” Smith said. “I would urge people to be cautious. The water is so black in the Santa Fe River right now that I wouldn’t advise diving.”
On July 22 the Levy and Dixie County Sheriff’s Office dive team located the body of Kerry Boisson, 34, of Cocoa, 150 feet down river from the house boat his family had docked near Fanning Springs State Park.
Foul play is not suspected in Boisson’s drowning death, though a medical examiner’s report had not been completed at press time. Boisson’s fiancee reported that the couple had swum to shore and entered the park to enjoy the springs when Boisson said he was not feeling well and decided to return to the boat, but that was the last time he was seen alive.
In lieu of the recent drownings, the following tips may help in the prevenion of further tragedy:
The Mayo Clinic advises:
• Don’t swim alone. Never allow children to swim alone or without adult supervision.
• Feet first. The first descent into any body of water should be a jump – feet first. Before the jump, check water depth and look for underwater hazards.
• Stay in designated areas.