PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — A 27-year-old man has died following a tragic boating accident Friday night in Charlotte Harbor, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Officials say the victim, Nicholas Knowlton, was operating a 22-foot vessel around 9 p.m. on November 1 when the boat struck a rock jetty near Fisherman’s Village. The impact was severe enough to eject Knowlton from the vessel into the water.
Nearby good Samaritans and a Punta Gorda Police Department officer immediately jumped into action, pulling Knowlton from the water and performing lifesaving measures. Despite their efforts, Knowlton did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
In a statement, the FWC expressed its sympathy to the victim’s loved ones, saying, “On behalf of all of FWC, we extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.”
The agency confirmed that the crash remains under investigation, as officials work to determine what factors led to the fatal collision.
Knowlton’s death has left the Punta Gorda community heartbroken, with many remembering him as a vibrant young man who loved the water and the outdoors. As friends and family mourn this tragic loss, authorities are urging all boaters to exercise caution and be aware of nighttime navigation hazards in local waterways.