A man in Naples, Florida, died while attempting to retrieve golf balls from a pond. The father who enjoyed spending time with his three children and collected submerged golf balls with his son is remembered as a dedicated first responder, a loving dad and a respected businessman.
Nicholas Wardein, 44, was at the sixth green of Arrowhead Golf Course with his 13-year-old son when he failed to return to surface.
The incident happened shortly after 1 p.m. Friday, Michelle Batten, spokesperson for the Collier County Sheriff’s Office told the Daily News.
According to an incident report provided by the sheriff’s office, Wardein’s son told deputies he and his father were allowed to scuba dive in the lakes of Arrowhead to retrieve golf balls.
The area has two ponds that separate the golf course from several buildings.
Based on the incident report, the sheriff’s office couldn’t confirm whether other people were in the area besides his son. The area encompasses several smaller golf courses.
A spokesperson for the golf course declined comment Wednesday morning, citing that he wasn’t present when the drowning happened and was later informed by his supervisors.
Wardein’s son added they’ve done so many times.
According to the teenager’s statement, Wardein entered the water wearing a wetsuit, weighted belt, dive mask, boot knife, scuba tank and a net to carry the golf balls.
Moments later, he noticed his father was struggling to stay afloat and gasping for air. Wardein took off his scuba tank but struggled to remain on the surface, possibly due to the weight of the golf balls attached to his weighted belt, his son told deputies.
The boy then entered the water in an attempt to aid the first responder, but when he approached his father’s last-known location, he couldn’t find him, according to the report.
The adolescent then exited the water and called for help.
By the time first responders arrived, Wardein had been beneath the surface for about 10 minutes, according to the incident report.
Nearly 15 minutes after first responders entered the water, divers with the fire department located Wardein approximately 5 yards off his last reported location.
Wardein was pronounced dead at the scene.
A GoFundMe fundraiser aims to collect $100,000 for Wardein’s memorial fund, which organizers say would then be distributed among his three children. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday, the family raised over $41,000.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth Wardein,…
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