A preliminary investigation indicates the drowning was accidental and involved alcohol, Gulfport police say.

GULFPORT – A homeless man drowned off Gulfport on Monday (Aug. 1), according to the city’s police department.

David Cook, 53, was taken to Palms of Pasadena Hospital after he was pulled from the water. He never regained consciousness.

Gulfport police said they were called to a water rescue at about 12:47 pm after a witness, who was on a boat in the bay, said he had heard a man yelling. When he looked out to see what was happening, he saw what appeared to be a man in distress in the water. The witness said he climbed into his dinghy and went to try to help the man but was not able to get him into his dinghy. He was able to give him a personal flotation device before going back to his vessel and calling 911 for help.

Gulfport police launched the department’s marine unit and arrived about 12:53 pm. Police said they pulled the man from the water. He was wearing an orange personal flotation device and white underpants. One officer began chest compressions while the other piloted the boat to Gulfport Casino dock, where the Gulfport Fire Department was waiting. Mr. Cook was taken to Palms of Pasadena Hospital; however, he never regained consciousness.

Officers on the Gulfport Casino dock located clothing which contained a Florida identification card with a picture that matched the decedent.

The preliminary investigation indicates this was an accidental drowning that likely involved alcohol, police said.

For information about Gulfport police, go to gulfportpolice.com.

Gulfport Police | Drowning | Gulfport Casino | Tampa Bay Reporter

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