Bill Von Herbulis, 72, was rescued after his electric wheelchair toppled from a marina dock in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, on September 27, 2026. He clung to an electrical conduit pipe for roughly 90 minutes while calling for help in waters known for shark activity. Sgt. William Leven entered the water with a rescue buoy and helped bring Von Herbulis safely to shore. The deputy is expected to receive a Lifesaving Award for the rescue.
| 1) | A routine fishing trip turns into an emergency |
|---|---|
| 2) | A fall leaves a fisherman stranded in the water |
| 3) | Deputies reach the private marina at night |
| 4) | Shark activity added danger to the rescue |
| 5) | The survivor quickly returned to fishing |
A routine fishing trip turns into an emergency
Bill Von Herbulis, a former water treatment plant operator who has used a wheelchair since breaking his neck 19 years ago, regularly fishes and checks crab traps near his home. On the evening of September 27, he traveled by electric wheelchair to a narrow private dock in the Minorca condominium community near Ponce de Leon Inlet. He brought his fishing equipment in a wagon and was alone because his wife, Lori Von Herbulis, was out for the evening.
The dock was unusually quiet as the tide rose and daylight faded. Von Herbulis had finished fishing and was heading home when the wagon struck a dock box. The impact caused the wagon to jackknife and the wheelchair to topple, sending him into the water at about 7:30 p.m.
A fall leaves a fisherman stranded in the water
Von Herbulis surfaced and grabbed an electrical conduit pipe positioned between boat slips. The high tide allowed him to reach it, while his wife later said the pipe would have been several feet out of reach at low tide. His cellphone also fell into the water, cutting off the easiest way to contact help.
He repeatedly shouted for assistance, but no one responded at first. Von Herbulis said he wondered whether he would have to remain in the water all night. An arriving angler eventually heard splashing and saw him holding the pipe. A locked gate prevented the angler from reaching him, so the man called 911 to report a possible drowning.
Deputies reach the private marina at night
At about 9 p.m., Sgt. William Leven and Deputy Boris Rodriguez arrived at the private marina. They found the overturned wheelchair and saw Von Herbulis struggling to keep his head above the water. Body-camera footage showed Leven removing the belt that held his gun holster before entering the water with a sheriff’s office rescue buoy.
Leven navigated around oyster shells and barnacle-covered dock pylons to reach Von Herbulis. He secured the buoy to him and retrieved a bag of belongings that was drifting away. With assistance from people nearby, the deputies helped Von Herbulis climb the stairs from the water to the dock, returned him to his electric wheelchair and took him home. He declined medical attention.
“We don’t think he belonged there, not that we care, because he was our angel,” Lori Von Herbulis said of the angler who called for help.
Shark activity added danger to the rescue
The incident occurred in waters near New Smyrna Beach, an area associated with frequent shark encounters. Data published through September 2026 recorded 13 shark bites in the United States, none fatal, while Florida continued to have the highest frequency of unprovoked shark encounters in the country.
Experts advise people to avoid entering the water at dawn or dusk, stay away from areas where people are fishing, avoid splashing and swim with another person. If a shark approaches, recommended steps include maintaining eye contact, moving away slowly and leaving the water when possible. Von Herbulis said he often catches sharks at the dock and has previously landed one about seven feet long.
The survivor quickly returned to fishing
Despite the danger, Von Herbulis said he returned to fishing the following day. He has fallen into the water twice before, although his wife does not accompany him because she fears seeing another accident. He said he avoided serious injury from the oysters and barnacles because he made a clean dive.
The grandfather of six also acknowledged that sharks were present in the water but said they did not attack him. The rescue left him grateful while allowing him to continue the fishing routine that has remained part of his daily life.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | A wheelchair toppled from a dock, sending a 72-year-old fisherman into the water. |
| 2 | He held onto a pipe and called for help after losing his cellphone. |
| 3 | A sheriff’s sergeant entered the water and used a rescue buoy to reach him. |
| 4 | The rescue took place near shark-active waters after dark. |
| 5 | Von Herbulis declined medical care and resumed fishing the next day. |
Summary
The rescue demonstrated the risks of using a dock alone after dark, particularly in an area known for shark activity and changing tides. Quick action by a passing angler and two deputies prevented a potentially fatal outcome. Von Herbulis survived without reported injuries and returned to his regular fishing routine the next day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was rescued?
Bill Von Herbulis, a 72-year-old wheelchair user and regular fisherman, was rescued.
Where did the incident happen?
It happened at a private marina near Ponce de Leon Inlet in New Smyrna Beach, Florida.
How did deputies reach him?
Sgt. William Leven entered the water with a rescue buoy while Deputy Boris Rodriguez and bystanders assisted from the dock.
Was Von Herbulis injured?
He declined medical attention after the rescue and was returned to his electric wheelchair.
