Wesley Chapel Man Drowns Off Gandy Beach

ST. PETE, FL -- Pinellas County Sheriff's deputies are investigating the drowning of a Wesley Chapel man on Gandy Beach in St. Petersburg.

At about 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 16, Sven Torsell, 69, of Wesley Chapel, Jack Graham, 76, of Wesley Chapel and Kris Vantine, 67, of Lutz were on Gandy Beach in unincorporated St. Petersburg. Torsell went into the water and, about 30 minutes later, a passing boater alerted Graham and Vantine that their friend was unconscious in the water. Graham went to check on Torsell and found him with his head partially submerged in the water. He pulled Torsell from the water and called 911. Paramedics performed CPR before he was transported to St. Anthony's Hospital. He was pronounced dead at about 2:30 p.m.

Deputies say the drowning appears to be an accident.

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