Egmont Key, Florida — A vacation with friends ended in tragedy after a 20-year-old New Jersey college student died following a fall from the historic Fort Dade ruins on Egmont Key, a remote island at the entrance to Tampa Bay. Friends who were with Victoria Zardoya say they did everything possible to help after the accident, but she succumbed to her injuries two days later.
Student Reportedly Fell While Visiting Historic Fort
According to reports, Victoria Zardoya was visiting Fort Dade on Friday as part of a boating trip with friends when the incident occurred.
Fort Dade sits on Egmont Key, a historic island that is accessible only by boat. The site attracts visitors interested in its military history, beaches, and preserved ruins.
A friend of Zardoya, Victoria Silberbusch, shared a lengthy social media post describing what she said happened during the outing.
She wrote that Zardoya fell from the historic ruins while the group was exploring the area. Silberbusch described the injuries as “brutal” and said everyone nearby immediately rushed to help.
Friends Describe Desperate Rescue Effort
According to Silberbusch, the group acted quickly after the fall.
She said friends called 911, launched emergency flares from nearby boats, and remained with Zardoya while waiting for first responders to arrive.
Because Egmont Key is isolated from the mainland, paramedics reportedly traveled to the island by boat, while a medical helicopter transported Zardoya to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment.
Silberbusch emphasized that her friend was never left alone during the ordeal.
“Victoria was never alone. From the moment she fell, every person there did everything within their power to help her.”
Despite those efforts, Zardoya reportedly died from her injuries two days later.
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Sheriff’s Office Responded to Island Incident
Service logs from the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office indicate deputies responded to an incident on Egmont Key shortly before 5 p.m. Friday.
The logs show the response remained active for several hours before the call was cleared later that evening.
Authorities have not publicly released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the fall, and officials have not announced whether the incident remains under investigation.
Tributes Pour In for Victoria Zardoya
News of Zardoya’s death prompted an outpouring of condolences from friends and loved ones.
She was reportedly a close friend of Milania Giudice, the daughter of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” star Teresa Giudice.
According to reports, members of the Giudice family shared tributes and messages of support on social media following the tragedy.
Friends have remembered Zardoya as someone who brought joy to those around her, while many online expressed sympathy for her family as they mourn the sudden loss.
The tragic incident has also drawn attention to the potential dangers of exploring historic structures on remote islands, where emergency responders may face longer response times due to limited access.
Authorities have not released further information regarding the circumstances of the accident as the community continues mourning the young student’s death.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking tragedy? Should historic sites with elevated ruins have additional safety measures for visitors? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
