** HCSO MEDIA ALERT **

UPDATE - SEPTEMBER 9, 2004
At approximately 11:30 am the of Eric Downey was recovered in the By-pass Canal by the Sheriff's Office Drive Team.

Eric Downey, 23
Thonotosassa

WHAT:
Drowning

WHEN:
September 7, 2004 at approximately 4:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Harney Road and Bypass Canal
WHY/HOW: At approximately 4:00 p.m., September 7, 2004, the victim went to the Bypass Canal with his girlfriend and her two children to go swimming. The victim jumped into the canal and started floating west over the grate. He attempted to swim and yelled for help, but did not resurface. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office helicopter and dive team responded to the scene. Due to unsafe conditions the dive team was unable to enter the water and retrieve the victim. Today, September 8, 2004, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office helicopter will make periodic checks on the Bypass Canal in attempts to locate the victim.