Firefighter Joshua Schwabenbauer was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries when he dove head first into shallow water off Haulover Beach on Labor Day. (CBS4)
Healthy Living
LAUDERHILL (CBSMiami) – The Lauderhill Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of their own after a tragic Labor Day boating accident.
Officials say Joshua Schwabenbauer, 26, passed away Thursday morning surrounded by family and friend.
Schwabenbauer, who was off-duty at the time, was boating with friends on Monday when he dove into the shallow water off Haulover Beach. They were on a sandbar which was only a couple of feet deep.
Schwabenbauer was pulled onto a private boat, unconscious and suffering seizures. Fortunately, a Florida Fish and Wildlife crew was nearby. Wildlife officials say one of their officers was able to bring Schwabenbauer back to shore. While he was driving the boat, another fire fighter was on board performing CPR.
Once Schwabenbauer got to shore, witnesses say paramedics performed CPR. Eventually, he made his way to the ICU at Memorial Regional Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
The Lauderhill Fire Department said Schwabenbauer’s organs will be donated.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
