UPDATE: PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Justin Riston was found dead on Monday evening.
According to the FWC, Riston (46) was on a pontoon boat with another man Sunday before he fell into the Peace River.
Officials said the incident happened around 7:30 PM.
Riston’s body was found around 5 PM by FWC and partner agencies.
Count on NBC2 to bring you the latest developments on this story.
ORIGINAL STORY:
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — The search for a missing man is underway after he fell off a 26-foot-pontoon boat on Sunday evening.
According to the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), two men were aboard the vessel on the Peace River in Charlotte County.
One of the men then fell off the vessel and into the water around 7:30 PM. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) said the missing man is Justin David Riston (46).
Deputies believe Riston may have fallen into the water west of the U.S. 41 Bridge near the mouth of the Peace River.
”I feel for the family and the friends…we are nearing 24 hours so it’s a very scary time,” said Adam Brown with FWC.
For 25 years Jason Rounding has fished along the harbor and into the Peace River. He took our NBC2 crews on the water to show us not only where Riston went missing but how the tide is moving the day of the search.
“I would imagine if he held onto something or got to a bank that’s different, but the high tide would have either pulled him further West or East of the bridge,” said Rounding.
According to CCSO, Riston was wearing a black shirt with gold writing on it, gray shorts with black flames, a black ball cap, and eyeglasses. CCSO also said he did not have his cell phone or a lifejacket on when he fell off of the boat.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Punta Gorda Fire Department (PGFD), Punta Gorda Police Department (PGPD), FWC, and Charlotte County Fire & EMS have all joined the search for Riston.
Anyone with information can contact CCSO at (941)639-2101.
FWC hasn’t deployed any divers. A decision on whether or not to continue the search will be made this evening.
Count on NBC2 to bring you the latest developments on this story.
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