Pennsylvania couple drowns during family vacation in Florida

A Pennsylvania couple died Thursday while vacationing in Florida with their six children.

Pennsylvania couple drowns in front of their children in Florida

According to local authorities, the couple was pulled unconscious from the water at the Marriott Hutchinson Island Beach Resort.

The man and woman were identified as Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, the sheriff's office said. They were on vacation with their six children when they and two of their teenage children were swept away from shore by a rip current Thursday afternoon.

Here’s what we know about the deaths of Brian Warter and Erica Wishard:

The couple's children, most of whom are teenagers, and emergency responders attempted to save the couple and performed CPR on land until an ambulance took them to Cleveland Clinic North Hospital in Stuart.

Martin County fire crews responded to a 911 call at 1:30 p.m. about four missing swimmers who may have been caught in a rip current, fire department spokesman Cory Pippen said.

Pippin said Ocean Rescue lifeguards pulled two unconscious swimmers from the water and began CPR. The teens were able to return to shore unharmed.

The couple were taken to Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital in Stuart and later pronounced dead, he said.

Pippen said red flags were flying on the beach, indicating dangerous surf and possible rip currents.

The family reportedly hails from Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Where is Hutchinson Island, Florida?

Located on Florida's east coast, Hutchinson Island is a long, narrow barrier island that stretches from Fort Pierce to Stuart, Florida. It is one of two barrier islands on the coast of Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties in Florida. The two islands are separated by an inlet known as Fort Pierce Inlet.

Hutchinson Island offers miles of sandy beaches with abundant wildlife and plenty of family-friendly activities, making it a popular vacation spot.

What were the conditions on Hutchinson Island?

A disturbance off the coast of Florida has stirred up the waters.

A high rip current warning is in effect for the coastal counties of Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade through Friday evening.

“Rip currents can sweep even the best swimmers away from shore and into deeper water,” the National Weather Service said. “Swim near a lifeguard. If you get caught in a rip current, relax and let yourself drift. Do not swim against the current. If possible, swim in a direction that follows the shoreline. If you cannot escape, turn toward shore and call or wave for help.”

What are backwashes?

Rip currents are strong, concentrated channels of fast-moving water that flow rapidly away from the shore and toward the sea. They are most common at low pools or breaks in the sandbar and near structures such as jetties and piers.

With speeds of up to 2.5 metres per second, rip currents are faster than even the strongest swimmers and can form at any time on any beach with waves.

Panicked swimmers often try to swim against the current back to shore and often drown due to exhaustion.

What should you do if you get caught in a rip current?

The most important thing you can do if you feel yourself being pulled out by a rip current is to stay calm and relax. You will not be pulled under the water. The biggest danger is overexerting yourself.

You may be able to escape the current by swimming parallel to the shore, drifting, or simply treading water until the current subsides or flows back toward the shore, at which point you can swim back to the beach.

You can also try swimming with the current towards the breaking waves. From there, you may be able to swim to shore.

If you cannot reach the shore, are dragged further out to sea, or if you become tired, draw attention to yourself by waving or calling for help.

How many people die from backwash?

Surf riptides are a common hazard on Florida beaches. Tens of thousands of people are rescued from surf riptides each year in the United States, accounting for 81.9% of all surf beach rescues, according to a 2018 Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences report on lifeguard data.

The United States Lifesaving Association (USLA) estimates that more than 100 people drown in the United States each year due to rip currents.

csibon

Pennsylvania couple drowns during family vacation in Florida

Pennsylvania couple drowns in front of their children in Florida

Where is Hutchinson Island, Florida?

What were the conditions on Hutchinson Island?

What are backwashes?

What should you do if you get caught in a rip current?

How many people die from backwash?

Anna Harden

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Pennsylvania couple drowns in front of their children in Florida

Where is Hutchinson Island, Florida?

What were the conditions on Hutchinson Island?

What are backwashes?

What should you do if you get caught in a rip current?

How many people die from backwash?

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Anna Harden

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