Westfield Man Dies Snorkeling Off Florida Keys

WESTFIELD, NJ - Authorities say a Westfield resident died while snorkeling off the Florida Keys with his niece and two children on Thursday.

Monroe County Sheriff's spokesman Adam Linhardt told Patch that Rodney Jinkins, 49, lost consciousness while snorkeling with his family off John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park in Key Largo.

According to the incident report, Jinkins, his two 8-year-old children and niece were on the water for about 30-45 minutes when someone yelled that Jinkins being unconscious in the water.

The mate of the boat they were on, Douglas Mitchell Pearce, said in the report he heard Jinkins son yell for help, saw Jinkins floating face down in the water and immediately dove in to render aid. Pearce said he had other members of the boat lift Jinkins from the water and began CPR but at no time did Jinkins become responsive.

In the report, Jinkins' son said his father complained of a cramp on the side of stomach.

Jinkins was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. According to the report, an autopsy is pending.

"Sadly this is the kind of thing that happens down here a lot," Linhardt said.

According to the Westfield Floors business website, Jinkins is the owner-operator of the business, which has been providing floor care services in New Jersey for over 20 years.

This is a developing story that Patch will be updating as more information becomes available.

(Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

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