A local man drowned in the river at Suwannee Springs Park May 6 at 5 p.m. in spite of the efforts of three people who tried to save him.

According to the Suwannee County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO), the body of Miguel Juan Ramos, 25, of 302 Horne Ave., Live Oak, was recovered May 7 at Suwannee Springs after law enforcement and a dive team worked diligently to find the victim.

Two witnesses at the scene Tim Polson, 43, of Live Oak and Rhonda Simmons, 28, of Wellborn, told the Sheriff’s Office they were on the sand bar near where the river makes a 90-degree turn when they saw Ramos struggling in the water. The witnesses said another man, Rolando Pascul, age not available, of Live Oak, was in the water trying to help Ramos, but he was having trouble getting the victim back to shore.

The witnesses reported that at one time they observed Pascul desperately holding onto the victim’s hair to help him ashore. It was at this time the witnesses jumped into the river to help. Before they could reach Pascul, he had let go of Ramos to avoid going down himself, according to the Sheriff’s Office report.

The witnesses said after this point they could not locate Ramos in the water.

Pascul, told law enforcement that he and the victim were friends and worked and lived together. Pascul told law enforcement Ramos was a good swimmer, but at some point Ramos got tired and was unable to get back to shore on his own.

Chief Deputy Ron Colvin and Sheriff’s Office employee John Hale brought a boat to the scene, attempting to locate the victim. The Florida Game and Fish Commission (FWC) were also called to the scene. After being unsuccessful in finding Ramos, the Taylor County Dive Team was called to assist in the search and the team located the body at 2:35 p.m. Sunday, May 7.

The dive team found the body in the same location where Ramos went down, the report said.

Harris Funeral Home, Inc. of Live Oak is in charge of funeral arrangements. The date and time of the service has not yet been announced.