Walton County Sheriff’s Office Assists in Search for Missing Boater

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Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: Oct 29 2012 5:51 PM

Deputies from the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, along with first responders from Freeport Fire Department and Walton County Fire Rescue responded to the area of the Clyde B Wells Bridge after receiving a 911 call this morning around 7 a.m. Upon arrival, a male subject identified as Tyler Carpenter, 18, of Ft. Walton Beach, FL, was rescued from the waters of the Choctawhatchee Bay. He was transported to a local hospital for treatment and released. The other occupant of the vessel, Robert Gregory, 41, of Mary Esther, FL, is still missing. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrived on scene shortly thereafter and the scene was turned over to investigators from that agency. WCSO remained on scene and offered two boats and a helicopter to assist in the search. FFR also assisted with their vessel. The FWC had 4 boats out on the water in the search for Gregory. Later in the afternoon, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team arrived to search the waters of the bay.

 

According to Stan Kirkland of the FWC, the two individuals launched a 12-14 ft. johnboat into the bay late last night to fish for flounder. It is unknown at what time the boat began to take on water and capsize. At this time, he stated the search effort has turned from rescue to recovery mode.

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