CRUZ BAY — A Florida man on vacation with his family apparently drowned while snorkeling in St. John on Monday afternoon, authorities said.
Nathaniel Outcalt, 47, of Venice, Florida drowned while snorkeling in Trunk Bay before 5:38 p.m. Monday, the Virgin Islands Police Department said.
“Police were told that Outcalt, who was on vacation, went snorkeling with his family,” VIPD spokesman Toby Derima said. “After a short period of snorkeling, a family member noticed Outcalt floating motionless in the water, swam out, and pulled him to shore.”
911 was called as bystanders assisted with CPR until emergency response team arrived.
Emergency Medical Technicians attempted to revive Outcalt through CPR, but their efforts were unsuccessful, according to the VIPD.
Outcalt was obviously a tremendous animal lover, because he is seen posing with his pet dog in the woods and holding a turtle near his home in Florida in social media posts.
Nathaniel was also apparently a space aficionado because he displayed a telescope on his Facebook profile page and is pictured wearing a “moon landing” t-shirt as he holds his pet turtle.
The investigation into the drowning incident is ongoing.
VIPD officers and officials from the Virgin Islands Department of Tourism are working with the victim’s family to assist them during this time.