• 22-Year-Old Drowns While Diving Near French Landing in Orange, Florida

A 22-year-old man died in Orange, Florida, after drowning while diving near French Landing.

The Volusia County Sheriff’s Office said the young man, identified as Samuel Oshi, encountered difficulty swimming about 15 meters from the shore. His girlfriend and several bystanders attempted to rescue him, but they lost their grip on him in the current and could no longer see him.

Wildlife and fisheries officials were called in to assist the search, using sonar equipment from a boat to locate bodies underwater. Around 8:00 p.m., a dive team from the Volusia Sheriff’s Office recovered Samuel Oshi’s body from the river.

The sheriff’s office released a statement offering condolences to Samuel’s family and loved ones, describing the loss as tragic.

The statement also warned that strong currents, storms, tides, passing boats, and murky river conditions can make swimming dangerous. It noted that the river water is often dark and murky due to organic matter, sediment, and inflows from tributaries and springs, and that debris—such as abandoned crab traps, fishing gear, and trash—can further increase risks.