A Pennsylvania couple tragically drowned after being caught in a rip current while vacationing in Florida. Their six children were present but survived the incident.
Florida, Bollywood Fever: A Pennsylvania couple, Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, tragically drowned on Thursday afternoon after getting caught in a rip current while vacationing in Florida with their six children, local authorities reported.
The family was visiting Stuart Beach on Hutchinson Island, located on Florida’s southeastern coast, when the parents and two teenage children were swept out by the rip current while swimming, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.
Although the two teens managed to escape the current, their parents were unable to do so. “The kids were able to break the current and attempted to help their parents, but it became too dangerous and they were forced to swim ashore,” the agency wrote on Facebook.
Warter and Wishard were located by Martin County Ocean Rescue lifeguards, who began CPR on shore before the couple was transported to Cleveland Clinic North by Martin County Fire Rescue paramedics. Despite continuous life-saving efforts in the ambulance and at the hospital, the couple was declared deceased.
Earlier that day, Martin County Fire Rescue had posted a warning on Facebook about rough surf and rip currents, with red flags flying at Jensen Beach, Stuart Beach, and Hobe Sound. The post advised strong swimmers only due to expected rip currents and emphasized the importance of swimming at guarded beaches.
The 911 call reporting the missing swimmers came in around 1:30 p.m., shortly after the warning post was made. Hutchinson Island’s informational travel page on Facebook shared safety tips for avoiding and escaping rip currents, emphasizing the importance of adhering to beach flag warnings and swimming at guarded beaches.
The sheriff’s office stated that its Crisis Intervention Team was assisting the couple’s six children until other family members arrived in Florida.
Tips for Avoiding and Escaping Rip Currents:
- If the flag at the beach is red, do not go in the water.
- Watch the water before jumping in, even on green flag days.
- Don’t enter the water where waves aren’t breaking.
- Always watch the water as rip currents shift.
- If caught in a rip current, do not panic or try to fight it. Float, wave for help, and/or swim parallel to the shore.
Visitors are urged to read posted signs at all beaches and consult with lifeguards if unsure about water conditions.
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