Two Teens Rescued After Paddle Boarding Incident Off Florida Coast

Paddle Boarding Trip Gone Wrong

• 📌 Two teens went missing while paddle boarding near Cedar Key, Florida, on March 17.
• ⚠️ They left the Cedar Key fishing pier Monday afternoon and did not return, prompting a 911 call.

Extensive Search and Rescue Operation

• 🔍 Multiple agencies and hundreds of volunteers launched an all-out search through the night and into the next day.
• 🌊 Strong winds and waves are believed to have caused the girls to drift approximately 14 miles from their starting point.

Discovery and Rescue by Fishermen

• 🎣 A group of fishermen spotted the teens Tuesday morning, holding onto their paddle board.
• 🗣️ The teens reported seeing a rescue helicopter earlier but were unable to signal it due to their location and sharp oyster shells on the shore.

Recovery and Aftermath

• 🚑 The fishermen transported the teens to a nearby boat ramp, where they were taken by ambulance to the hospital.
• ✅ Both girls were reported to be in good condition, though cold and possibly hypothermic, with minor cuts.
• 💬 The fishermen noted the teens were in good spirits despite the harrowing experience.