Search continues for man after boat crash

VENICE — The family of a missing man involved in a boating accident is appealing to the public for help.

Darron Rose, who lives near the Myakka River, has been identified as the victim in a boating crash in a GoFundMe campaign organized by family friend Nicole Gartley.

The family has raised more than $28,000 toward the search for Rose, a father of three, as of Wednesday.

"In past emergencies, Darron has always been the first to jump into action at any cost. Now, this community is doing everything possible to return the favor," Gartley wrote in the GoFundMe post.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported the crash between his Jet Ski and a jon boat.

In Gartley's fundraiser post, she said Rose had gotten onto the vessel to survey the flooding from the Myakka River near his home after Hurricane Debby brought excessive rainfall to the area.

Official search and rescue teams ended their efforts Friday, according to the post, leading the family to hire private search teams to continue the effort to find Rose.

"Every moment that passes makes the search increasingly difficult ... This is devastating news to all who love Darron and are desperately seeking any sign of him," the post stated.

The campaign originally set a goal of $12,000, but managed to more than double the needed amount. One anonymous donor provided $1,500 toward the effort.

Gartley reported members of the local community have taken it upon themselves to search for Rose, using their own kayaks, boats and drones.

Donations to the search effort and updates on the search can be found at:

gofund.me/1efc736e