Rip Current claims the lives of couple while on vacation in Florida with 6 kids
Couple Dies After Getting Caught in Rip Current While on Florida Vacation with Their 6 Kids, Deputies Say
A day at the beach turned to tragedy for a Pennsylvania family vacationing in Florida. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office reported that 51-year-old Brian Warter and 48-year-old Erica Wishard, along with their six children, were caught in a rip current while swimming at Stuart Beach on Thursday.
The couple and two of their teenage children were swept out by a rip current while swimming at Stuart Beach. The kids were able to break the current and swim back to shore, but their parents were unable to do so.
Rescue Efforts: Martin County Ocean Rescue teams located the couple and began CPR on shore. Despite efforts to save them, the couple was pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The sheriff’s office is investigating the incident and has released a statement urging caution and awareness about rip currents. The sheriff’s office has provided support to the couple’s children, who were left to deal with the loss of their parents.
For Additional Context on Rip Current
Rip Current Risks: Rip currents are a significant threat to beachgoers, especially those who are not familiar with the ocean. They can occur anywhere, but are more common in areas with strong currents or near piers.
Prevention: The best way to avoid a rip current is to swim at lifeguarded beaches and follow the instructions of lifeguards. Always swim parallel to the shore if caught in a rip current and never try to swim against it.
Community Support: The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has offered support to the couple’s children, who are now dealing with the loss of their parents. The community has come together to provide emotional support and assistance during this difficult time.
According to WPTV, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy John Budensiek told said that “One of the children of the deceased was trying to yell to them instructions of how to swim parallel to the shore, … but they were in panic mode and unfortunately went under,”
“A lot of people are locals, they understand rip tides. They know what to do, what not to do. They know where to get in the ocean and where not to. We get these vacationers that come in and unfortunately this ends poorly for them. There’s no way to get the message out to all of them.”
Rip Current Safety Measures
1. Check the weather and ocean conditions before swimming.
2. Swim at a lifeguarded beach where trained lifeguards are available to assist in emergencies.
3. Learn how to identify rip currents and what to do if caught in one.
4. Swim with a buddy to ensure someone is available to help in case of an emergency.
5. Avoid swimming in areas with strong currents or where the water is murky or discolored.
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