Fisherman catches man after leap from Sunshine Skyway Bridge

Bradenton man's unlikely catch under Sunshine Skyway bridge is a lifesaver
By Kim Wilmath, Times Staff Writer
In Print: Saturday, July 25, 2009


BRADENTON

Steve Burkholder was fishing under the Sunshine Skyway bridge with two of his nephews when he heard someone scream from above: "No!"

He looked up and saw a man hurtling nearly 200 feet into the water, causing a 15-foot splash.

The fisherman lifted anchor and steered his boat to the man, who was face-up in "a dead man's float." His eyes were closed, his skin purple and swollen. His shoes were floating nearby. Blood pooled in the water around him.

Burkholder and one of his nephews pulled the man aboard his 181/2-foot boat while the other nephew called the Coast Guard.

Burkholder began CPR and listened for a heartbeat.

Silence.

He felt for a pulse.

Nothing.

He and his nephews began to pray.

About 30 seconds later, the man began to sputter and wheeze.

"You know, God uses pretty much anybody," Burkholder said. "I don't know why he chose me."
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