JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The body of an 18-year-old swimmer was found Wednesday afternoon, hours after he jumped off a dock and into the St. Johns River.
Jacksonville police searched for Rueben Dachoute after he and another young adult jumped off the dock at Reddie Point Preserve in Arlington about 11:20 a.m.
The other person got picked up by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office marine unit after someone called police. He spoke with police and was OK.
Dachoute's body was found at about 4 p.m. after a JSO helicopter, the marine unit and the dive team searched for him.
A fisherman said he saw a group of teens at the dock having a good time Wednesday morning, and two jumped in and immediately started yelling for help.
"The tide was really strong, pulling hard, and it took them right under," Mike Aders said. "They were both right there at the top, and one of the gentleman tried to get the other young gentleman out after he started screaming for help. But like I said, he lost his grip on him and he went under."
Aders said it was a horrible thing to see, and his thoughts go out to the families of those involved.
"They got swept out so fast, it was no way to jump in and get to them," Aders said.