New Tampa Man Among Three Rescued Canoeists

By Matt Wiley

A Hunter’s Green man and two others are OK after getting lost during a canoe trip near New Tampa and braving a night in a pitch black swamp.

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the agency received a call around 8 p.m. on June 23 from a man who said he and his friend were lost in their canoe along the Hillsborough River, between John B. Sargeant Park and Hillsborough River State Park.

HCSO reports that, with the help of aviation units, deputies were able to find the two men (along with a juvenile) just after 7 a.m. on June 24. The three of them had left their canoes and were found walking through an area of swamp and dense woods. They were identified as Roberto Romero, 36, of Riverview, Mike Silhol, 22, of Hunter’s Green, and Andrew Sadberry, 16, of Tampa.

The group got lost on a section of the Hillsborough River Paddling Trail called Seventeen Runs, which the Florida Department of Environmental Protection classifies as an expert level stretch of water that is extremely difficult to navigate due to low branches, narrow and shallow sections, strong currents and, of course, alligators, snakes and spiders.

HCSO was able to verbally communicate with the group throughout the night, but could not physically locate them until morning. The men were found in good health and helped back to the canoe launch area.