Former Forrest Principal Dies After Fall

JACKSONVILLE, FL --- 74 year old James Watson, affectionately known as "Slick" by family and friends, died Monday after an accidental fall at a beaches hotel.

Watson was enjoying time with family and friends at the Casa Marina Hotel in Jacksonville Beach, but something happened as Watson headed downstairs from the Hotel's Penthouse Bar Monday night.

"We had a report of an elderly gentleman that fell from the stairway, or the second floor area," said Jacksonville Beach Police Detective Sergeant Mark Evans.

Though Watson was said to be responsive and talking with paramedics before being rushed to Shands Hospital, his injuries, including a fractured pelvis and broken back, proved fatal.

"A few hours later he was pronounced deceased. He died, obviously from injuries sustained in this fall," said Evans, adding there was no reason to suspect foul play in the fall.

In a statement released by a family spokesperson: "The extended Watson family is deeply saddened by the loss of its father, brother, uncle and grandfather. It is a tragedy and they are still putting all of the pieces together as to what happened."

In the 1970's Watson was Dean of Boys at Forrest High School, later serving as Forrest's Principal until the mid 1990's.

The Watson Family says: "They are very thankful for the outpouring of support and care from the community and the rescue workers who tried to help."

Funeral arrangements for Watson are pending.