The Polk County Sheriff’s Office recovers teen who apparently drowned in Lake Clinch
At around 8:20 p.m., Sunday, June 18, 2023, PCSO deputies along with the Frostproof Fire Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to a report of a boating accident on Lake Clinch in Frostproof and had boats immediately into the water to look for a missing boater.
Preliminary information so far is that two teens were on a single Jet Ski on Lake Clinch. The driver of the Jet Ski, 17-year-old Jose Torres of Frostproof, made an abrupt turn, causing him and his passenger, 15-year-old Mekhi Guillaume of Frostproof, to be ejected into the water.
Guillaume, who was wearing a life jacket, was able to swim back to the Jet Ski. Guillaume looked for Torres but could not locate him. Guillaume immediately alerted others in the area and 911 was notified.
Torres was not wearing a life jacket.
The PCSO Marine Unit and Underwater Search and Recovery Team (USART) utilized an underwater drone which located Torres, deceased in about 20 feet of water, just after midnight. Jose Torres’ body was transported to the Tenth District Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be conducted at a later time. It appears at this time that he drowned, although the M.E. will determine his exact cause of death.
Jose Torres was a student at Ridge Technical College.
“Our hearts hurt today for this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Jose’s family and loved ones. This is a tragic accident and a stark reminder that life jackets save lives. Please, when out on the water, wear a life jacket. It could save your life.” – Grady Judd, Sheriff
A gofundme account has been set up for anyone wishing to assist the family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-family-of-jose-torres
