Windsurfer's Body Recovered in Florida River Amid Hurricane Idalia

In the wake of Hurricane Idalia's passage through Florida last week, local reports confirm the recovery of a missing windsurfer's body from a river in the state.

Greggory Johnston, a 60-year-old windsurfer, vanished on August 30 in the Banana River near Merritt Island's Kelly Park area, as reported by the Brevard County Sheriff's Office.

A concerned dog walker promptly dialed 911 upon witnessing Johnston being engulfed by the river's turbulent waters near a bridge. Tony Fitch, the dog walker, described the situation as the river's waves reaching almost 3 feet in height.

Search efforts for Johnston began around 7 p.m. on August 30, involving personnel from the sheriff's office, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and the Coast Guard. The following morning, searchers located Johnston's board and windsurfing sail on the river's eastern shore, across from Kelly Park, according to the sheriff's office.

Although Johnston's body was discovered on August 31, it wasn't positively identified until Wednesday, as reported by local sources, citing the sheriff's office.

A medical examiner's report attributed Johnston's drowning to windsurfing in the river during a tropical storm warning. This information came from WKMG-TV, citing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE).

In a news release, FDLE confirmed that Hurricane Idalia was responsible for two deaths in Alachua and Brevard Counties.

No further details are available at this time.

Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida on the morning of August 30 as a Category 3 storm but was subsequently downgraded to a Category 1 and then a tropical storm later in the day.