Multiple swimmers rescued after being pulled offshore near Blind Pass Tuesday evening

Multiple swimmers were in trouble near Blind Pass, where Sanibel turns into Captiva Island, on Tuesday evening.

FWC said that officers were dispatched after it received reports about multiple swimmers in distress near Blind Pass, but those officers were advised to cancel by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office due to the extended response time.

Visiting the beach, Devante Diaz told WINK News they couldn’t park in the parking lot because it was blocked.

“There was a lot of, I think fire police and some ambulances and a fire trucks, maybe two fire trucks blocking off the parking lot. As far as I could tell, no one could get in there or out,” Diaz said. “We were wondering what it was. When we came down, we weren’t sure exactly what’s going on.”

Diaz says that was all around 7:20 p.m.

The Sanibel Fire & Rescue District says three swimmers were washed or swept out to sea. Firefighters on rescue boards were able to swim out to the people in distress and help them back to shore.

Sanibel Fire & Rescue District says all three swimmers were evaluated on the scene, and one was taken to Golisano Children’s Hospital for further care.