Hero deputy rescues wheelchair-bound grandfather who fell into shark-infested waterway
Bill Von Herbulis, a 72-year-old in a wheelchair, fell into shark-infested waters off a Florida marina on 27 September when his fishing equipment cart caused his wheelchair to topple. Sergeant William Leven's swift response in jumping into the dangerous waters to rescue him has earned a Lifesaving Award and demonstrates the critical importance of emergency services to vulnerable people in such situations.
Von Herbulis had been alone on a private dock near Ponce de Leon Inlet when his equipment wagon bumped a dock box, sending him and his mobile phone into the water. He remained calm and clung to an electrical conduit pipe whilst calling for help every 30 seconds for approximately 30 minutes. An angler eventually heard him and called 911; Sergeant Leven and Deputy Boris Rodriguez arrived around 9 p.m. Leven carefully navigated the sharp oyster shells and barnacle-encrusted dock pylons to pull Von Herbulis to safety.
- Wheelchair user rescued after 30 minutes in shark-infested water on 27 September.
- Deputy navigated sharp oyster shells and barnacles to pull him to safety.
- 72-year-old returned to fishing the very next day undeterred.
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A 72-year-old man in a wheelchair fell into shark-infested waters off a Florida marina when his fishing equipment cart caused his wheelchair to topple. Bill Von Herbulis was alone on a private dock near Ponce de Leon Inlet on 27 September when it bumped a dock box, sending both him and his mobile phone into the water.
In the water, Von Herbulis clung to a pipe and called out for help repeatedly over the course of about half an hour. An angler eventually heard his calls and contacted 911.
Sergeant William Leven responded and navigated around sharp oyster shells and barnacles on the dock to reach and pull Von Herbulis to safety. The incident illustrates the importance of emergency services in responding quickly to people in vulnerable situations.