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Man dies after reportedly diving off a boat at Crab Island

A Fort Walton Beach man died Saturday after reportedly diving into waters on the northwest side of Crab Island near Destin, FL. Witnesses say 40-year old Craig Hanrahan dove off the center console boat around 3:15 p.m. and was began floating face down. He had to be pulled from the water, which is typically two […]

A Fort Walton Beach man died Saturday after reportedly diving into waters on the northwest side of Crab Island near Destin, FL.

Witnesses say 40-year old Craig Hanrahan dove off the center console boat around 3:15 p.m. and was began floating face down. He had to be pulled from the water, which is typically two to three feet deep in that general area.

According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Department, Hanrahan was loaded onto a pontoon boat and rushed to the Coast Guard Station, but was later pronounced dead at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center.

44-year old Travis Forbes of Georgia was critically injured June 27th in a similar accident at Crab Island.

Back in June, a Georgia man was pulled from the water unconscious after diving off a pontoon boat and hitting his head on the bottom of Crab Island. According to the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, two men on the boat with the 40-year old pulled him quickly from the water and began CPR. The man told them he could not feel his arms just before he lost consciousness.

Safety tips to keep in mind:

  • Never dive into shallow water. Always inspect the depth of the water to make sure it is deep enough for diving.
  • If you have any doubt, enter feet first always.
  • Never dive into above-ground pools.
  • Do not drink alcohol before or during swimming, diving, or boating. Alcohol affects balance, coordination and judgment.

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Community Comments

“Highschool is finna be more crowed now. We need another highschool not a middle or elementary school.”
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“This is bittersweet. I spent a wonderful week in Cay Sal Banks on the Pilot in 2006. I will have to go pay her a visit soon....”
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“I agree with Jerome. What will this accomplish since both ends are only 4 lanes?”
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“The parking lot at McGuires would disappear along with the parcel that Destin purchased at the bridge.. Flooding on Okaloosa Island would close an expensive update to 98 , at...”
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“This will not make a difference for traffic passing through the center of Destin along Rt. 98. The smart option is to complete the Brooks Bridge and intersection in Ft...”
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“Doesn’t it still end up with 4 lanes on either end after bridges? Seems more aesthetic than a traffic plan. Which is nice too but does it increase the function?”
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“It would be a money pit let’s sink it for the tourists who we don’t have enough of so more will come”
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“Traffic moves pretty well on that stretch of 98, I don't see the need to waste the money. Maybe do something to deal with the traffic in Destin, and Mary...”
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“Will there be a new traffic signal on Beal Parkway for the new Eglin Credit Union Ops Center on Beal Parkway?”
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