Daring Rescue out of Immokalee Swamp

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IMMOKALEE, Fla.- An Immokalee man is at home recovering after being airlifted out of a remote swamp in Collier County.

Reports show that Andrew Gonzales, 34, was working for the University of Florida taking water samples when his heart condition flared up. The team was too far into the swamp to walk him out and asked the 911 operator for a helicopter.

The Collier County Sheriff’s helicopter spotted the team and called in the Miami-Dade rescue team to help pull Gonzales out of the swamp. Descending from the helicopter by a wire, a rescue member grabbed hold of Gonzales, secured him to the line and hoisted him out of the swamp. Gonzales was then flown to the hospital.

Reports show Gonzales had a preexisting heart condition and it was his first time working in the swamp.

The rescue video is courtesy of the Immokalee Fire Department.

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