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JUPITER, Florida (WPBF) — Kevin Burns, a longtime and beloved teacher at Jupiter Middle School, died off the Jupiter coast after snorkeling and paddleboarding.
On Friday, Burns and a friend had paddleboarded approximately half a mile offshore to a reef, where they secured their paddleboards and entered the water to snorkel, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.
“While snorkeling, the current became increasingly strong and carried both men away from their paddleboards,” PBSO spokeswoman Teri Barbera said. “After determining they were unable to swim against the current to return, they decided to swim towards shore.
“The current became increasingly strong and carried both men from their paddleboards. After determining they were unable to swim against the current to return, they decided to swim toward shore.”
The friend realized Burns hadn’t made it back and was no longer visible in the water.
A multi-agency search was dispatched to the 3000 block of S. A1A, which has been renamed Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway.
Jupiter Inlet.
The PBSO helicopter responded and located Burns in the water north of where the paddleboards had been secured at the reef.
Burns was taken to Jupiter Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The unnamed friend was also taken to a local hospital.
Burns, who advised the school’s paddleboard club, taught U.S. history and civics for more than 20 years.
“One of our longtime dedicated teachers, Mr. Kevin Burns, has passed away,” Principal Lisa Hastey said in a note. “Mr. Burns was a beloved member of our Mariner family and taught U.S. History and Civics for more than twenty years. He maintained an unwavering commitment to education and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
“He maintained an unwavering commitment to education and will be deeply missed by all who knew him.”
On Monday, school and district counselors were available for assistance on campus, as well as a therapy dog with school police.
“We are grateful for your continued support of our school family as we honor the memory of Mr. Burns,” she said.
Caitlin Sylvia, a fellow teacher at the school, posted on Facebook: “Kevin Burns brought warmth and kindness to Jupiter Middle School. He will be truly missed.”
He provided a photo she took of Burns paddleboarding.
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