18-year-old identified as man given CPR after being shocked by downed powerline in flood waters, St. Augustine police say

Man shocked by electrical current in downtown St. Augustine during Nicole flooding (Copyright 2022 by WJXT News4Jax - All rights reserved.)

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – News4JAX has learned the identity of a man shocked Thursday by a downed power line in flood waters brought by Tropical Storm Nicole in St. Augustine.

According to an incident report, an 18-year-old man, of Ponte Vedra Beach, was found unresponsive in flood waters by citizens near Cuna and Charlotte streets.

News4JAX reporter Amanda DeVoe said she heard a man yelling for help around that morning.

St. Augustine Police confirmed a man was shocked by a downed power line in flood waters. The incident report stated the responding officer believed there was a live wire in the water, but the exact source of the electrical current was not specified.

FPL cut the electricity in the area before anyone else could be shocked and while the investigation continued, the St. Augustine Fire Department said.

DeVoe and photojournalist Joe Drumm witnessed life-saving efforts being administered as people rushed to give the man chest compressions before fire rescue arrived.

Once the fire department arrived, they provided medical assistance. The man was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but his family said he was improving and is in fair condition.

Witnesses who didn’t want to be identified said they saw the man touch a light pole and then fall. Medics also said he was barefoot.

WATCH: Amanda DeVoe’s report below


About the Author

Amanda DeVoe joined the News4JAX team in March 2022 as a morning news and traffic anchor

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