Rescue of Florida Man After Fall into Atlantic Waters

A 72-year-old disabled man from Florida experienced a terrifying incident during what should have been a relaxing night of fishing. He fell from his wheelchair into the Atlantic Ocean, where he spent over an hour alone in the dark before being rescued by a first responder.

Bill Von Herbulis, who continues to fish and manage his crab traps daily at a marina near New Smyrna Beach, faced a horrific situation one night in late September. A bizarre event on his dock caused him to tumble into the ocean when the waters were filled with predatory fish, including sharks and barracudas.

Fortunately, Volusia County Sheriff’s Sgt. William Leven came to the rescue, diving into the water to pull Von Herbulis to safety over the sharp oyster shells and barnacle-covered dock pylons. This heroic act is set to earn Leven a Lifesaving Award. A bodycam video of the rescue became widely shared online.

Von Herbulis had been in the water for more than an hour, calling for help when a passing fisherman noticed the splashing and spotted him clinging to a pipe. Unfortunately, the fisherman couldn’t reach him because of a locked gate, so he called 911, prompting the rescue.

The whole ordeal began when, contrary to his usual routine, Von Herbulis went fishing alone at night, which he had been advised against for safety reasons. That evening, the dock was unusually empty of other fishermen, leaving him alone.

Using his motorized wheelchair, he typically accessed his fishing spot, pulling along a wagon filled with gear. Around 7:30 p.m., while trying to head home, his wagon hit something on the dock, causing the wheelchair to tip over and sending him into the water, along with his cellphone.

After receiving an anonymous call about a “possible drowning,” Sgt. Leven and Deputy Boris Rodriguez arrived at the marina around 9 p.m., finding Von Herbulis struggling in the water.

Bodycam footage revealed Leven methodically shedding his gear before entering the water with a buoy to assist Von Herbulis, carefully avoiding the sharp obstacles around him.

Interestingly, Von Herbulis mentioned that the fisherman who called for help probably shouldn’t have been at the dock, implying he wasn’t supposed to be there. “He didn’t have a key to get in,” said Lori Von Herbulis, his wife of 41 years, reflecting on the stranger’s unexpected heroism.

Despite the danger he faced, the incident hasn’t deterred Von Herbulis, who cannot stand or walk due to a neck injury from 19 years ago. He was back fishing the very next day, his wife noted with pride, saying, “He doesn’t miss.”