Man Drowns in St. Johns River in Orange City

A man tragically drowned in the St. Johns River on Saturday, the Volusia Sheriff’s Office announced on Sunday. The victim was identified as 22-year-old Samuel Oche, a resident of Daytona Beach. According to a statement on the tragedy by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office, Oche was snorkeling at the time of the incident. He and his girlfriend were near French Landing in Orange City. Deputies were called to the incident at around 4:18 p.m. on Saturday, the VSO says. Both Oche’s girlfriend and other witnesses in the area reported that he was struggling to swim about 50 feet from the shore. Oche’s girlfriend made an attempt to rescue him, as did other witnesses on-scene. The VSO says that they couldn’t keep their grip on Oche, and then they lost sight of him in the current. The Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission responded, as did the Volusia Sheriff’s Office Air One helicopter. A search was commenced, which lasted almost four hours from the initial call. At around 8:00 p.m. the Volusia Sheriff’s Office dive team found Oche’s body in the river. No other details were provided by the Volusia Sheriff’s Office in their statement. “The Sheriff’s Office sends sincere condolences to Samuel’s loved ones for their tragic loss,” the agency said.