Man dies after near drowning off Anna Maria

A 25-year-old Lakeland man died after nearly drowning off the beach in Anna Maria Island on Thursday afternoon, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office.

Joseph S. Teston died at a local hospital where he had been listed in critical condition, detectives learned Friday morning.

At 3:15 p.m. Thursday, deputies were called to the beach on Anna Maria, near Spring Lane and the Sandbar Restaurant, after beach-goers reported pulling a swimmer out of the water.

“People saw him swimming and all of a sudden they just saw him floating,” sheriff’s office spokesman Dave Bristow said.

Teston, who had been staying on Anna Maria, was swimming alone, Bristow said. He was about 25 to 30 feet from the shore, and there was rough seas.

Witnesses who spotted Teston pulled him from the water and began CPR until deputies with the sheriff’s office and Marine Rescue arrived. He was taken to Blake Medical Center, where he later died.

The drowning appears to be accidental, the sheriff’s office said.

This story was originally published June 9, 2017 at 11:14 AM with the headline "Man dies after near drowning off Anna Maria."