Man clinging to DeSoto Bridge piling after boat accident saves himself

Man clinging to DeSoto Bridge piling after boat accident saves himself

MANATEE -- A man seen clinging to a piling under the DeSoto Bridge over the Manatee River was able to pull himself up onto the bridge's catwalk about 1 p.m. Tuesday.

A 911 caller from a boat reported seeing someone clinging to a piling, according to the Manatee County Emergency Communications Center. A partially submerged boat was nearby.

The man pulled himself onto the bridge catwalk, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

The man was uninjured, according to the police report. The boat reportedly capsized.

A Manatee County Sheriff's Office helicopter and the U.S. Coast Guard assisted at the scene. Paramedics also responded.

This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 8:26 PM with the headline "Man clinging to DeSoto Bridge piling after boat accident saves himself ."