20-030 Deputies Investigate Drowning After Kayak Capsizes At The Dunedin Causeway
Drowning
Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Flight Unit
Special Operations Division
-Dive Team
-Marine Unit
Dunedin Fire Rescue
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Kyle Zachary Bobb (Victim- Deceased)
DOB: 12/20/1999
What:
Deputies investigate the drowning of a 20-year-old man at the Dunedin Causeway.
When:
Deputies responded to the Dunedin Causeway at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 15 , 2020.
The man’s body was recovered at approximately 2:45 a.m., on February 16, 2020.
Where:
The incident occurred near the west bridge of the Dunedin Causeway on the north side.
Why/How:
Deputies were called to the Dunedin Causeway at approximately 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 15 , 2020 after receiving reports of man struggling in the water.
Deputies learned 20-year-old Kyle Zachary Bobb had capsized his kayak and had not returned to shore.
Deputies on shore were able to locate Kyle approximately 200 yards off shore and requested assistance from the Flight Unit and Marine Units. Rough conditions on the water made a rescue impossible from land. When the Flight Unit arrived they were unable to keep sight of Kyle due to the rough conditions. Marine units and rescue boats arrived and began to search for Kyle.
At approximately 2:45 a.m. on February 16, 2020, deputies located Kyle’s body on the north side of the Dunedin Causeway, approximately 200 yards off shore.
Investigators learned Kyle and a group of friends were at the Dunedin Causeway to shark fish from shore. According to the friends, Kyle paddled his kayak into the water to set a bait, when his vessel capsized and he was unable to swim back.
It does not appear alcohol or drugs were factors in the incident and he was not wearing a life vest.
Next of kin has been notified.
The investigation continues.
