Vehicle drives into Sarasota Bay, passengers transported to hospital

Longboat Key Fire and Rescue personnel responded to an emergency call on Tuesday, March 18, after bystanders reported a vehicle drove into the water near the Longboat Key Moorings. 

According to Public Information Officer Tina Adams, the driver mistakenly accelerated, drove off an approximately 5-foot seawall and ended up in Sarasota Bay. Adams said bystanders pulled the 44-year-old driver from the water and began CPR. 

Longboat Key units responded around 5:36 p.m. and requested an airlift via Bayflite because of the patient’s condition and traffic delays. 

Crews evaluated the 64-year-old passenger on the scene and initially cleared him, but he later requested a further evaluation, transporting him to Sarasota Memorial Hospital as a non-emergency patient. 

Adams said the hospital has since informed the department that it expects the female patient to have a positive outcome.