A compassionate Florida man who swam into the ocean to rescue a seagull caught in his fishing line drowned after strong currents prevented him from returning to shore.
William Romberg, known to his friends and family as ‘Stone,’ died on Sunday afternoon in the waters near his home in Laguna Beach, a community on the Florida Panhandle coast.
Romberg, 31, was fishing at an inlet when his cast line caught a seagull, according to an online fundraiser organized by his loved ones.
Noticing the bird was in distress, the kindhearted man swam out to untangle it. But while he tried to rescue the seagull, the fishing hook and bird got caught on his hand.
Romberg tried to swim back to shore, but the powerful currents kept carrying him further out into the water.
Exhausted from the effort of the attempted rescue and difficult swim, Romberg was unable to make it back to land, and he drowned.
Romberg leaves behind a wife, Taylor, and two daughters, three-year-old Hadley and one-year-old Lainey.
He worked as a beach manager at Carillon Beach for the company La Dolce Vita. The company released a statement on Tuesday remembering Romberg for ‘his kind heart, hard work, and willingness to always lend a hand.’
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William Romberg, 31, drowned on Sunday while trying to rescue a seagull that got trapped in his fishing line. He is pictured with his wife and daughters
Romberg’s employer released a statement remembering him for ‘his kind heart, hard work, and willingness to always lend a hand.’ He is pictured with his wife, Taylor
‘Stone tragically lost his life while fishing at the beach and attempting to help a bird caught in his fishing line. His kindness left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him, and he will be deeply missed,’ the statement added.
‘Our hearts are especially with his wife, Taylor, and their two little girls, Hadley and Lainey, during this unimaginable time. We hope our community can come together to support them and help ease the financial burden ahead.’
Tributes to Romberg on social media and posts in support of his family show that they were beloved members of the local community.
Taylor’s employer, Brad Dahler 30A Realtor, released a statement that said: ‘Our hearts are broken for our dear friend and teammate, Taylor Romberg, who tragically lost her husband, Stone, earlier this week.
‘Taylor is truly one of the most incredible people we have the privilege of knowing. She is a light in the lives of everyone around her, and we know those who knew Stone would say the very same about him.’
A member of the community named Julie Lewis wrote on Facebook: ‘Such a devastating loss for our community. Stone and Taylor are truly some of the most genuine, salt of the earth people. My heart breaks for this sweet family.’
Romberg’s family was beloved by the local community. He is pictured with his wife and young daughters, three-year-old Hadley and one-year-old Lainey
A family friend named Kaitlyn Fly said: ‘To know this family is to love them!!! Please pray for Taylor and those precious babies. My heart is absolutely broken for them. Such a tragic and unimaginable loss.’
The online fundraiser for Romberg’s family was organized to ‘help Taylor and the girls financially during this devastating loss, including easing the burden of hospital bills and funeral expenses.’
As of Wednesday evening, it has raised more than $112,000.