Father drowns rescuing seagull caught in fishing line

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 08:33 · Archive

William Romberg, 31, drowned while trying to rescue a seagull caught on his fishing hook at Panama City Beach, Florida.

William 'Stone' Romberg, a 31-year-old hospitality manager, drowned on Sunday afternoon while attempting to rescue a seagull at Panama City Beach, Florida. According to his employer and a GoFundMe campaign, Romberg was fishing into Phillips Inlet near the Pinnacle Port Condominiums when his cast accidentally caught the bird. He swam out to help free the trapped animal.

While attempting to untangle the lure, Romberg's hand became caught on the hook. He tried to swim back to shore but was carried further out by the current and ultimately drowned. Romberg was an Atlanta native who served as Beach Service Manager for La Dolce Vita Beach Service, a position he held since March 2024.

He is survived by his wife Taylor and their two young daughters, aged 1 and 3. The family had recently celebrated their youngest daughter's first birthday two weeks before his death. Colleagues and community members remembered him as a devoted father and husband who made a lasting impression on those around him.

How it is being reported

• Florida dad, 31, drowns trying to save tangled seagull in Panama City BeachA Florida hospitality manager drowned as he tried to save a seagull he hooked while fishing in the Florida Panhandle — as loved ones remembered him as a "wonderful husband and father."New York Post · 29 Oct, 08:23
• Kindhearted father drowns in ferocious waves while trying to free seagull that got tangled in fishing lineThe man's hand got caught on the fishing hook while he was trying to rescue the seagull, and he drowned while trying to swim back to shore. He leaves behind a wife and two young daughters.Daily Mail · 29 Oct, 02:19

In this story: William Romberg · Panama City Beach · La Dolce Vita Beach Service · Phillips Inlet · Atlanta

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log