Update: Man Rescued from Hillsborough Bay after Car Crashed into the Water

Updated May 12, 11:14 a.m.: Michael Agana, 19, of Tampa was the man rescued last night. He remained in critical condition at Tampa General Hospital as of this morning.

Updated at midnight:

Tampa Fire Rescue's two boats diligently searched the waters for other potential victims and no others were located. Witnesses reported seeing only one person in the vehicle, according to Tampa Fire Rescue.

The Toyota Camry was removed from the water.

Tampa Fire Rescue units and Department of Public Works crews worked together to ensure the walkway, which sustained damage, was as safe as possible, by securing guard rales with rescue ropes.

A status check on the victim reported no change in his condition, officials said.

Updated at 10 p.m.:

Tampa Fire Rescue units including heavy rescue units, tactical medics, and two fire boats, are on the scene of Bayshore Boulevard and South Boulevard after a vehicle crashed into the Hillsborough Bay Friday night, May 11.

Tampa Fire Rescue spokesperson Debra Sue Warshefski said that a call came in at 19:59 p.m. reporting that a car had travelled southbound on South Boulevard, crossed Bayshore Boulevard and drove over the meridian and into the water after going through the Bayshore Boulevard balustrade.

Rescue crews responded quickly to the scene and pulled a person from the vehicle which was submerged beneath the water. The 19-year-old man, who has not been identified yet, was transported to Tampa General Hospital.

“They were able to get the pulse and pressure back,” said Warshefski. “The person was not breathing during transportation.”

No more details are available on the medical condition of the patient at this time.

A search is now underway for a second person who might have possibly been in the Toyota Camry.

“We are looking to make sure no one else was in the vehicle,” said Warshefski. “The car is still in the water and will be removed overnight.”

Warshefski said that four bystanders jumped in the water after the crash to try to rescue the driver. However, the rescue was not successful until rescue crews arrived.

No other injuries were reported and the accident is still under investigation.
Witnesses said that the car was speeding at the time of the crash and they did not hear the sound of car brakes.

There is a lot of rescue activity on Bayshore Boulevard right now. There are about 50 bystanders watching the activity and traffic has slowed down.

Update, 9:10 p.m.:

There is a lot of rescue activity on Bayshore Boulevard right now. There are about 50 bystanders watching the activity. Stay with us for more details as they emerge.

Earlier:

A vehicle reportedly crashed into the water in the area of Bayshore and Boulevard sometime earlier this evening.

Tampa Fire Rescue units are on the scene, but few details are yet available.
South Tampa-Hyde Park Patch editor Alessandra Da Pra is also on the scene and will update as soon as possible.