NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 2, 2008
Contact: Michele Nicholson
Public Information Officer
(850) 651-7420
BODY OF APPARENT DROWNING VICTIM RECOVERED ON OKALOOSA
ISLAND
The body of a Louisiana man believed to have drowned in the Gulf of
Mexico off Okaloosa Island has been recovered by emergency personnel.
A woman called to report that the man had disappeared in the surf around
1:10 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Coast Guard,
and Florida Fish and Wildlife responded, along with Eglin Range Patrol.
The body of Tracy Lee Curling (DOB 10/13/1969) of
Kenner, Louisiana was spotted in an area off
Eglin Air Force Base property about ninety minutes later.
Initial reports indicate Curling went
into the rough water to get to a child and another family member who were
struggling, but he became separated from his boogie board and went under.
The others got to shore safely.