What began as a relaxing evening on a sunset booze cruise in Punta Gorda quickly became a dramatic rescue.
Cole Kelly, charter manager for Punta Gorda Adventures, recalls the moment he spotted chaos on the shore. A man had jumped over a railing, falling onto rocks below, and was injured as bystanders yelled for help.
Kelly and his crew wasted no time. He threw a life ring into the water, and the party guests on board immediately shifted from celebration to coordination.
“They all, for the most part, understood that it was important to help this man,” Kelly said. “I even had one passenger help bring me the first aid kit.”
Punta Gorda police later confirmed that the man was severely intoxicated. He was pulled aboard, stabilized and handed over to paramedics. Despite being bruised and bloodied, he was ultimately okay.
After the incident, the cruise continued with music, karaoke and a Florida sunset. Kelly said he scrubbed the blood off the boat, and the mood shifted back to celebration.
