The Newshound

Florida father of two drowns trying to free a seagull from his fishing line when the hook snags his hand

William "Stone" Romberg, 31, is survived by his wife Taylor and daughters Hadley, 3, and Lainey, 1, whose first birthday the family had celebrated just two weeks before his death.
William "Stone" Romberg, 31, is survived by his wife Taylor and daughters Hadley, 3, and Lainey, 1, whose first birthday the family had celebrated just two weeks before his death.

Stone Romberg, 31, drowned on Sunday near Carillon Beach, Florida, after jumping into the water to free a seagull that had become tangled on his fishing line. The hook and bird wrapped around his hand, and strong currents carried him out to sea before he could reach shore. Friends who had been fishing alongside him lost sight of Romberg, then found him entangled in the line and attempted CPR.

He leaves behind his wife Taylor and their two daughters, Hadley, 3, and Lainey, aged one.

Colleagues at beach company La Dolce Vita described his death as a 'devastating loss', recalling his 'kind heart and willingness to always lend a hand'.

Two GoFundMe campaigns set up for the family have collected over $300,000 to help cover funeral costs.

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