A 60-year-old woman from Missouri has become the fifth tourist in four days to die off the shore of Panama City Beach, Florida. Debbie Szymanski of St. Louis was found unresponsive by family members in Gulf waters around 11:30 a.m. Sunday. They were bringing her to shore when Bay County Sheriff’s Office deputies and emergency medical services arrived on the scene near Carillon on the west end of Panama City Beach, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. Szymanski was taken to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, the sheriff’s office said. She was a victim of a riptide, the New York Post reported.
Two days prior, three young Alabama men who had traveled to the same area with a group of friends had just checked into their rental and went for a swim when they got into distress, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. “The three men were caught in a rip currently shortly after entering the water,” the post said. They have been identified as Harold Denzel Hunter, 25; Jemonda Ray, 24 and Marius Richardson, 24, from Birmingham. All three were fathers.
Last Thursday, 19-year-old Ryker Milton from Oklahoma died after being caught in a rip current off Panama City Beach, Oklahoma City TV station KOCO reported.
Bay County Sheriff’s Office’s latest Facebook post reminds beachgoers that single red flags posted on the shores mean there are strong currents in the water. Flags are posted at beaches across Florida to alert those who choose to go in the water about current conditions.
That same day, a Pennsylvania couple visiting Florida with their six children drowned after they were caught in a rip current while swimming. Brian Warter, 51, 48-year-old Erica Wishard, and two of their mostly teenage children were caught in the current on Hutchinson Island along Florida’s southeast coast, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post. It added that the two children were able to break free of the current and tried to help their parents but were forced to swim ashore when conditions became too dangerous. Martin County Ocean Rescue attempted life-saving measures and took the couple to a local hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The incidents serve as a tragic reminder of the dangers of rip currents and the importance of beach safety. Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that can quickly pull swimmers away from shore. It is crucial for beachgoers to be aware of their surroundings, pay attention to warning flags, and know what to do if caught in a rip current.
Beach safety tips include not trying to swim directly to shore if caught in a rip current, instead, swim along the shoreline until you can escape the current’s pull. It is also essential to never swim alone, always supervise children near water, and be mindful of weather and surf conditions before entering the water.
As summer approaches and more people head to the beach, it is vital to prioritize safety and take precautions to prevent drowning incidents. By following beach safety guidelines, being aware of potential risks, and knowing how to respond in emergencies, beachgoers can enjoy their time in the water while staying safe.