Woman drowns at St. Augustine Beach | News

ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, Fla. -- Rescue personnel were called to St. Augustine Beach near Ocean Trace Road after reports that a 74-year-old female was possibly in distress in the water.

The St. Augustine Beach Police Department, St. Johns Sheriff's Office Beach Patrol deputies and St. Johns County Marine Rescue all responded to the area, according to a news release from St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Catherine Payne.

The woman, Lola Hagen, had last been seen by her granddaughter.  She told police Hagen was floating on her back in the water and that she had grown tired and was resting before swimming back to shore.

Fifteen minutes, later Marine-Rescue lifeguards found Hagen in the water. Lifeguards began advanced life saving measures once Hagen was brought ashore.

Rescue crews took Hagen to Flagler Hospital where she was pronounced deceased.

The Medical Examiner's Office conducted an autopsy and determined the manner of death to be accidental and the cause of death drowning Payne said.

The St. Augustine Beach Police Department is investigating the drowning.