Battalion chief drowns in accident

A North Lauderdale battalion chief drowned in what appears to be a single-boat accident Wednesday in Hillsborough County, according to city officials.

Juan Linares, an 18-year veteran of North Lauderdale Fire Rescue, was riding in Lake Thonotosassa, about a mile from a friend’s house, on a boat he had bought two days before.

It was his first ride on the boat.

Fire Chief Rodney Turpel said authorities with the Medical Examiner’s Office said the case appears to be an accidental drowning.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, which is handling the investigation, did not comment Thursday.

City officials said Linares started with the agency as a firefighter, and received awards in emergency medical service and extricationteam competitions, even traveling to Nebraska in April to teach firefighters how to cut people out of cars.

“We’re devastated,” said Fire Chief Rodney Turpel. “Juan had an incredible personality, a big strong guy, built big. … But he’s a big teddy bear.”

Turpel said authorities suspect Linares, 42, of Plantation, slipped and fell into the murky water.

Fox 13 News in Hillsborough County reported Wednesday that the Sheriff ’s Office got a 911 call that afternoon. A witness reported seeing someone’s head bobbing in the water, waving for help. There were also reports of an empty boat.

The TV station reported that as divers searched the water, they did find a small, unmanned boat with its motor running, carrying an open soda, flip-flops and a GoPro camera.

Turpel said divers searched for five hours Wednesday during daylight, a boat was out on the water during the night, then rescuers searched for two hours Thursday morning until they found him.

Turpel said Linares’ body was expected to be returned to Broward today.

Funeral information was not immediately available.

Linares