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Body of Polk County fisherman recovered

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TBO.com

Published: June 7, 2009

Updated: 06/07/2009 10:56 pm

After a search that lasted more than five hours, authorities found a Polk County fisherman who had a seizure on Sunday afternoon, fell into about 15 feet of water and apparently drowned.

The body of Robert James Donaldson, 38, was found about 9 p.m. in Crooked Lake, just south of Lake Wales, Polk County sheriff's spokeswoman Carrie Eleazer said.

Deputies have ruled Donaldson's death as an accidental drowning. An autopsy will be performed Monday to determine the exact cause of death, Eleazer said.

Donaldson, of 820 Cody Road, Babson Park, was last seen about 4 p.m.

Donaldson was fishing on a boat with a friend when he had a seizure and fell overboard, Eleazer said. Donaldson's friend jumped in the water, then called 911 after he couldn't find him.

Relatives told deputies Donaldson has a history of seizures and is on medication.

He was not wearing a lifejacket, although there were vests onboard, Eleazer said. The boaters did not break any laws, officials say.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped with Sunday's search.

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