Watch: Fla. Police, Civilian Boater Save Man During Nighttime River Rescue

A rescue on the Manatee River became a team effort when a civilian boater volunteered to help Bradenton police find a man who had spent at least an hour in the water and could be heard calling for help in the dark.

Sept. 21, 2026

2 min read

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Bradenton police responded to reports of a man calling for help from the Manatee River and were initially unable to see him in the darkness.
A civilian boater helped officers in the search, while the Manatee County Sheriff's Office Aviation Unit helped locate the man from the air.
After spending at least an hour in the water, the man was rescued, brought aboard the civilian boat, and taken to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.

By Michael Moore Jr.

Source The Bradenton Herald

A civilian boater helped rescue a man who had spent at least an hour in the Manatee River Saturday night, police said.

Officers responded just before 9 p.m. Saturday to reports of a man yelling for help in the river near 801 Riverside Drive East, formerly Caddy’s, according to the Bradenton Police Department.

Police said initially they could hear the man calling from the water but could not see him in the darkness.

Video captures Bradenton police water rescue

Body camera video released by police shows officers approaching people with a boat and asking for their help.

“There’s someone in the water. Can you guys help us out?” an officer asks.

Three officers climbed aboard the civilian’s boat while others stayed on shore and listened for the man’s voice. The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Aviation Unit also joined the search and helped locate him.

As the boat approached, officers could be heard on the video trying to coax the man out of the water. “You’re okay. You’re not in trouble,” one officer said.

When the man didn’t immediately get aboard, another officer offered him a ride wherever he wanted to go. After several minutes, the man climbed aboard. Emergency medical personnel took the man to a hospital for evaluation and treatment.

“We extend our sincere thanks to the civilian boater who didn’t hesitate to help. His willingness to assist played an important role in bringing this rescue to a safe conclusion,” the department said in a social media post.

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