A Florida father drowned while trying to save a seagull that had become caught on his fishing line at Panama City Beach, according to a fundraising appeal set up for his family.
William “Stone” Romberg, a 31-year-old hospitality manager and father of two, died on Sunday after swimming out to help the bird, the appeal says.
His friend Heidi Fortner said Mr Romberg had been fishing at an inlet when his cast caught the seagull. Concerned for the animal, he entered the water to try to untangle it.
Ms Fortner said the hook and the bird then became attached to Mr Romberg’s hand. Although he tried to swim back to shore, a strong current pulled him further out and he drowned.
Mr Romberg is survived by his wife, Taylor, and their two daughters, aged three and one.
A GoFundMe appeal supporting the family had raised 116,000 dollars and was continuing to receive donations.
