Florida dad who swam to tangled seagull and was carried away from shore drowns
Stone Romberg, a 31-year-old father of two, drowned after swimming into the sea to free a seagull caught in his fishing line. A current carried him away from shore as he tried to return, and the hook and bird had become stuck to his hand; his death has left his family and local community mourning his loss.
Romberg was fishing at his home in Florida’s Panhandle and worked as a manager of chair services at a nearby condominium complex. A fundraiser for his family had raised $138,714 by Thursday afternoon; he is survived by his wife, Taylor, and their one-year-old and three-year-old daughters.
In short
- Stone Romberg drowned after trying to free a seagull from fishing line.
- A current carried him away as he tried to swim back to shore.
- His wife and two young daughters are supported by a family fundraiser.
Explained simply
Florida’s Panhandle is the state’s north-western stretch along the Gulf of Mexico, where fishing and beach tourism are common. Fishing line and hooks can pose a hazard to wildlife when discarded or left tangled.
Stone Romberg was a local father of two who managed chair services at a nearby condominium complex. He is survived by his wife, Taylor, and their young daughters; a fundraiser has been set up to support the family.