C hase Hunter, a senior lifeguard with Flagler Beach Ocean Rescue, said he initially didn't think a deer was floating out in the waves. Ocean Rescue and the Flagler Beach Fire Department were responding to a call of a deer spotted in the water on the south end of the beach July 6.

A deer swimming far off the Flagler Beach coast was rescued Sunday by two lifeguards who braved circling sharks. On Sunday afternoon, Flagler Beach lifeguards Chase Hunter and Leo Peters told WESH, the deer was struggling, bobbing underwater and resurfacing for what witnesses say was around an hour and a half.