Accidental drowning reported in Volusia County

A 75-year-old man died in an apparent accidental drowning in Volusia County over the weekend after his leg became caught in a rope while he was preparing a boat at a dock, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office. The incident happened in DeBary, where deputies said the man was found in the water between two boats.

Authorities identified the man as Jerry Capo. According to the sheriff’s office account cited by FOX 35 Orlando, deputies responded around 10:30 a.m. Saturday after someone discovered his body. Investigators said his left leg was entangled in a rope securing the boat to the dock. The sheriff’s office said the death appears accidental and that there were no signs of foul play.

Why this matters in Edgewater

While the incident did not happen in Edgewater, it carries clear relevance for local readers in a city where boating, fishing and dock activity are part of everyday life. Edgewater residents regularly use the Intracoastal Waterway, neighborhood canals, private docks and nearby ramps, especially as spring boating activity increases.

Accidents involving ropes, docks and slips can happen quickly and quietly, particularly when someone is working alone near the water. Even experienced boaters can face danger from a simple misstep, shifting footing, or a line wrapped around a leg or ankle. Cases like this are a reminder that routine boat preparation can still carry serious risk.

Seasonal reminder for boaters and families

For Edgewater-area residents heading onto the water, the circumstances described by deputies underscore a few practical precautions: avoid working alone when possible, keep lines organized and visible, and use extra care when stepping between a dock and a vessel. Family members should also know where a loved one is launching or docking and when they expect to return.

The sheriff’s office said the man’s son had planned to go boating with him that day, adding a painful reminder of how suddenly accidents can unfold. As more local residents spend time on the water this season, the tragedy serves as a sobering prompt to slow down during launch and dock preparations.

Community impact beyond the incident site

Although DeBary is well outside Edgewater, the broader lesson is local: waterways are central to life across Volusia County, and safety hazards are often the same from one community to another. For Edgewater readers, this is less about distant geography than about a familiar activity with consequences that can turn fatal in moments.

No additional foul-play concerns were reported, and the case was described as accidental. The sheriff’s office also extended condolences to the man’s loved ones. For local boaters, the incident stands as a timely warning to treat dock lines, boarding and pre-departure tasks with the same caution given to time on the open water.