Search Continues For Missing Man Off Lower Keys

KEY WEST (CBSMiami) - The search resumed Tuesday for a central Florida man who went missing after he jumped off a boat to save a child.

Thirty nine year old Brian Kowalski of Trinity was on the boat trip with several other adults and children when the incident took place about 4 p.m. off the gulf side of West Summerland Key.

The boat was towing one of the children behind it on a rope. Several others were also in the water. When the child began to show distress, Kowalski jumped in the water to help him.

As he was helping the child back to the boat, Kowalski began to show signs of distress. Two people on board the boat attempted to turn the boat around so they could help, but the rope had become entangled around the propeller. As they struggled to remove the rope from the prop, they lost sight of Kowalski.

They were able to rescue the child and called for help in finding Kowalski.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission searched until 10 p.m. but were unable to locate him. On Tuesday, the Coast Guard and the Monroe County Sheriff's Office joined the search.