Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau

City of Seminole Fire Rescue Department

Mark V. Payne (Victim – Injured)
DOB: 05/23/1985
Address: Clearwater, FL

Ashley Payne (Wife)
DOB: 09/01/1988
Address: Clearwater, FL

Roberta Sharman (Mother-In-Law)
DOB: 03/23/1971
Address: St. Petersburg, FL

What:
Deputies are investigating a near drowning after a man swam into a lake at Walsingham Park to retrieve a dog in unincorporated Largo.  

When:
The incident occurred at about 10:13 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

Where:
The incident occurred at Walsingham Park located 12615 102^nd Avenue North, in unincorporated Largo.

Why/How:
Deputies are investigating a near drowning after a man swam into a lake at Walsingham Park to rescue a dog in unincorporated Largo.

According to deputies, at about 10:13 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, 2019, deputies were called to Walsingham Park located at 12615 102^nd Avenue North, in unincorporated Largo, for a report of a man and a dog struggling to swim in the water.

Deputies say the victim 33-year-old Mark Payne, his wife 30-year-old Ashley Payne, and his mother-in-law 48-year-old Roberta Sharman, were behind shelter #1 at Walsingham Park with their dog getting ready to take family photographs.

Mark’s dog was on a leash but he pulled away from Mark and ran into Lake Walsingham. Mark entered the lake to retrieve the family dog. For an unknown reason, Mark was struggling to swim and he went underwater.

Deputies say Roberta Sharman went into the lake and rescued Mark who was unconscious. Sharman brought Mark back to shore.

Paramedics from the City of Seminole Fire Rescue Deprtment responded and treated Mark at the scene. Mark had a pulse and he was breathing when paramedics transported him to Largo Medical Center for life-threatening injuries.  

Paramedics went into the lake and retrieved the family dog. The dog was uninjured.

Deputies say the incident appears accidental in nature.

The investigation continues.