Submitted to the times-journal

Bay County, Fla. &045; A Selma man died today in a boating accident on Deer Point Lake in Bay County.

Willie Frank Toney Jr., 66, was fishing when his boat began to sink, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials.

The vessel, a 16-foot Sur-Bass boat, sank in approximately 14 feet of water. The transom was touching the bottom of the lake and the bow was sticking out of the water, according to officials.

Another boater was fishing nearby and went to assist. He was able to get close to Toney, but Toney was unable to get into the Good Samaritan’s boat. Toney was able to hang on to the side of the boat until they reached the shore. He was wearing a life jacket.

Once the two men made it to the bank, Toney died.

FWC officials and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the accident.

The man was taken to the Bay County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death.