Crime & Safety

Swimmer Swept Up in Intracoastal Waterway Identified

He was trying to retrieve a child's toy boat.

The Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office said Brian Osterhout, 67, was trying to fetch a child’s toy boat when he was swept away by the Intracoastal Waterway’s current Wednesday.

A search for the Nokomis man began in the waters near the Albee Farm Road bridge late Wednesday afternoon. The county’s Marine Patrol, Underwater Recovery Force and Lifeguard Operations all swung into action, along with the Venice police and fire departments. The search, however, ended tragically when rescuers pulled Osterhout’s body from the water. His identity was withheld until late Thursday morning so authorities could notify his family.

Photo Credit: Rescuers search for a man swept way in the Intracoastal Waterway Wednesday. Photo courtesy of the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office.

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