Lifeguards rescue deer in Flagler Beach

FLAGLER BEACH Fla WSVN Two lifeguards are speaking out after rushing to rescue a deer who had been struggling in the sea near Flagler Beach for over an hour Beachgoers say they saw the deer about yards off the shore struggling in the waves for at least an hour and a half We thought maybe it s a pelican and sure enough it was a deer out there swimming around explained Chase Hunter a lifeguard Chase Hunter and Leo Peters sprang into action using the same kind of board they use to save people As they moved in sharks encircled them Yes there were two big sharks making wide circles around us while we were out there explained Chase Even when our rescue swimmer Leo came out there to get us they were out there swimming And I thought We re in it now I saw two big fins come out of the water and I thought Oh my god ' announced Leo I ve never heard of a deer rescue I ve never heard of a deer in the ocean They managed to straddle the exhausted deer across the board before safely bringing it to shore Wildlife expert James Kroll known as Mr Deer says the deer who likely lives on land near the beach took to the water during the Fourth of July fireworks If this happened around the Fourth of July it could be fireworks A lot of people were on the beach the deer took to the water to get away from something maybe even a dog and got caught up in the current announced Dr James C Kroll As for the lifeguards they were honored by their brave save Yeah a little bit it s my job he declared It s what I need to do so I d do it for anybody According to wildlife personnel since the deer was able to walk it is safe to release it back into the wild