Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
- Marine Unit

Maderia Beach Fire Rescue

Andrew Gerolemon (Injured)
DOB: 1/10/1943
Address: 2229 Willow Grove Way, The Villages, Florida

Derek Kaplan (Good Samaritan)
DOB: 5/16/1984
Address: 4900 68^th Court North, St Petersburg

Deputy Todd Amlin (Assisted with CPR)
Hire date: 3/20/2006

What:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the near drowning of a 74-year-old man who was removed from the waterway in Johns Pass by the operators of Eagle Watersports parasailing vessel operating out of  Maderia Beach.

When:
Deputies received the call at about 12:46 p.m. on Tuesday, September 26, 2017.

Where:
The near drowning victim was reported to have gone swimming and snorkeling on the Maderia Beach side of Johns Pass.  He was transported to 110 Johns Pass Boardwalk West, Maderia Beach. The business location of Eagle Watersports parasailing company.

Why/How:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the near drowning of a 74-year-old man who was removed from the waterway in Johns Pass by the operators of Eagle Watersports parasailing vessel operating out of  Maderia Beach.

Deputies say 74-year-old Andrew Gerolemon appeared to have gotten caught in the strong currents of the Johns Pass waterway after he told his wife he was going swimming and snorkeling. Andrew Gerolemon was later spotted in distress by witnesses who contacted the nearby Eagle Watersports Parasailing Company who operates out of Johns Pass. The vessel operator Derek Kaplan of Eagle Watersports Parasailing and his crew were the first ones to arrive, locate and remove Andrew from the water.

Deputies say Andrew was unresponsive when they arrived. Deputy Amlin took over cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), which had been initiated by the crew of the Eagle Watersports Parasailing Company. Andrew was transported to Northside Hospital and is listed in serious condition.

Deputies say that alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be factors in the incident.

The investigation continues.