Following a distress call on Friday night in Panama City Beach, Florida, three swimmers lost their lives.
The three young men who entered the water at 8 p.m. today and got distressed have all passed tragically, we must say with great grief. Sheriff Tommy Ford added, “Our hearts and prayers are with their families. “I would like to express my gratitude to the Coast Guard, FWC, and Bay County Emergency Service for their assistance with the rescue efforts.”
After arriving at Panama City Beach on Friday afternoon, the trio of young men, who were all from Alabama, immediately went swimming. Their last known location was behind the Watercress Condominiums, located at 6201 Thomas Drive, between the first and second sand bars, next to the Schooners restaurant. They were reported missing.
The males were discovered apart and were declared deceased at nearby medical facilities, according to the Associated Press.
The guys were identified as Marius Richardson, 24, Jemonda Ray, 24, and Harold Denzel Hunter, 25, by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office.
The request for assistance was answered by the U.S. Coast Guard Station Panama City. In addition, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Bay County Fire, and officials from the Bay County Sheriff’s Office contributed to the search.
Earlier this week, there had been a single red flag at the beach, signifying dangerous water conditions.
In Florida, summer has gotten off to a tragic start due to dangerous water conditions.
According to WJHG, these fatalities occur one day after a person drowned at Panama City Beach in the Gulf.
The 19-year-old Oklahoman was entangled in a rip current while swimming behind Sharky’s during a single red flag alert, according to Ray Morgan, the fire chief of Panama City Beach.
According to officials, the man was brought out of the water by lifeguards for beach safety, and first responders performed CPR on him while he was being taken to Bay Medical in critical condition.
Later on, the hospital declared him dead, according to local officials.
A Pennsylvania couple perished on Thursday in a rip current off the coast of Hutchinson Island in Martin County, Florida. Together with their six kids, they were on holiday.