17-Year-Old Apparently Drowns After Falling Off Jet Ski On Lake Clinch

FROSTPROOF, FL — The Polk County Sheriff's Office has recovered the body of a teen who drowned in Lake Clinch on Sunday.

According to the sheriff's office, around 8:20 p.m., deputies along with the Frostproof Fire Department and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to a report of a jet ski accident on Lake Clinch in Frostproof.

The sheriff's office said two teens were on a single jet ski on Lake Clinch. The driver of the jet ski, 17-year-old Jose Torres of Frostproof, made an abrupt turn, causing him and his passenger, 15-year-old Mekhi Guillaume of Frostproof, to fall into the water.

Guillaume, who was wearing a life jacket, was able to swim back to the jet ski but he find Torres, who was not wearing a life jacket. Guillaume immediately alerted others in the area who called 911.

The sheriff's marine unit and underwater search and recovery team used an underwater drone to locate Torres, who was found dead in about 20 feet of water just after midnight.

It appears at that he drowned, although the medical examiner will determine the exact cause of death.

Torres was a student at Ridge Technical College.

"Our hearts hurt today for this loss, and our thoughts and prayers are with Jose's family and loved ones. This is a tragic accident and a stark reminder that life jackets save lives," said Polk Sheriff Grady Judd. "Please, when out on the water, wear a life jacket. It could save your life."