Swimmer drowns in St. Johns River

Date Added: March 08, 2026 8:05 am

A young man drowned in the St. Johns River on Saturday while snorkeling near French Landing, Orange City.

Deputies responded to the scene around 4:18 p.m. Saturday after the 22-year-old's girlfriend and several other witnesses reported he'd gone missing underwater after struggling to swim about 50 feet off shore. 

His girlfriend tried to rescue him, and multiple witnesses jumped in to help, but they lost their hold on him in the current and then lost sight of him.

FWC and Air One responded to assist in the search. Boat sonar later detected a possible location of the victim's body. Around 8 p.m., the VSO dive team recovered the victim from the river. He was identified as Samuel Oche, 22, Daytona Beach.

The Sheriff's Office sends sincere condolences to Samuel's loved ones for their tragic loss.