Post by lucy on Jul 23, 2012 1:12:12 GMT -6
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UPDATED: 2 swimmers drown, 20 rescued
July 22, 2012 11:57:11 AM
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ZACK McDONALD / News Herald Writer
Twitter: @pcnhzack
Latest update:
'High risk' of rip currents Sunday
PANAMA CITY BEACH — Two people drowned and a third died from a heart attack after being rescued from the water while swimming in dangerous surf conditions Saturday.
The two drowning victims were identified as Charles Smith, 49, of Panama City Beach, and Fredrick Tillman, 25, of Jackson, Miss.
More than 25 swimmers were rescued from the surf, as people continued to enter the water after beach-warning flags were changed to double-red at 11:30 a.m., according to the Panama City Beach Police Department. By 3 p.m. police reported responding to at least 20 swimmers in distress, three of whom were taken to a local hospital. By 5 p.m., Whitman said the number had increased to approximately 25.
“That rip current is bad,” Beach Police Chief Drew Whitman said. “And if you aren’t used to it, it’s even worse.”
Whitman said as PCBPD was pulling people out of the water, other people would come up to ask if it was safe to go in the water.
“There were six beach police trucks, three county trucks, a helicopter, the Coast Guard and that’s not counting the officers on foot telling people not to go in the water,” Whitman said. “People just weren’t paying attention to flag.”
Lt. Jamey Wright of the PCBPD said that at around 11:30 a.m., police changed the single red flag to a double red as the volume of calls increased. Double red means the water is closed.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office reported around 10 water calls in the area of St. Andrews State Park and the County Pier.
“The double red flag usually slows it down, but the majority of our calls came in after it was double red,” said Sgt. Steve Nagy.
Smith, the first victim, drowned while snorkeling near Edgewater Beach Resort. He entered the surf around 11:30 a.m., about the same time the flags were changed to double red. At about 1 p.m., Smith’s wife alerted police and told them he had been snorkeling for quite some time, although she told police it was normal for him to snorkel for long periods of time. Smith was later found beachside behind the Sterling Reef Resort by EMS and pronounced dead at 3:27 p.m., according to reports.
Tillman, the second drowning victim, was pulled from the surf behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort. CPR was performed before taking him to Bay Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
The third swimmer who died had a heart attack after he had been out of the water for about 10 minutes. Authorities did not release his identity Saturday.
By midday, beach goers behind the Ocean Towers Beach Club stared longingly out at the seemingly docile 2- to 3-foot waves breaking as beach patrol drove along the shore announcing through loud speakers, “double red flags mean no swimming — stay out of the water.”
A group of church parishioners from New Home Baptist Church in Montgomery, Ala., were among many on dry land.
“We came down for the day to have fun and do beach stuff,” said Belinda Jackson. “We have to go back today to be at church tomorrow.”
The National Weather Service reported that conditions on Saturday were not conducive for an active rip current day. The forecast initially predicted 8 to 10 mph winds and 2- to 3-foot surf height in Bay County and a surf zone forecast of “moderate risk.”
However, the NWS officials said multiple wave groups could have helped increase the volume of rip currents throughout the day.
“Oftentimes if you have an active rip current day, it can open up these rip channels in the sand bars,” said Alex Lamers of the NWS. “If those linger into the day tomorrow, they could activate again when you get the incoming surf.”
Conditions for Sunday are predicted to be similar to wind and surf conditions for Saturday, and double-red flags are likely to be flying again, authorities said.
Earlier versions of this story appear below:
Panama City Beach Police have confirmed that two people have drowned today, and a third swimmer died of a heart attack about 10 minutes after leaving the water.
Check back later today for details.
Earlier information is posted below:
A swimmer pulled from the surf Saturday behind the Boardwalk Beach Resort has died, according to Panama City Beach Police.
The man’s name is being withheld pending notification of next-of-kin.
PCPD has responded to at least 20 water rescue calls within about four hours, while double-red flags were flying. Double-red warning flags mean no one is allowed in the water due to dangerous conditions.
Some 20 swimmers in distress were pulled from the surf during that time. CPR was performed on three of them and they were taken to local hospitals.
This is a breaking news story. Check back later today for details.
An earlier version of this story is posted below:
Double-red flags are flying at Panama City Beach, which means the beach is closed. A handful of swimmers in distress have been rescued already today.
A reporter and photographer are headed to the beach to report the story. Check back later today for details.
Originally posted 7/21/12 1:04 p.m. CDT
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Read more: www.newsherald.com/articles/beach-104281-closed-swimmers.html#ixzz21QXiPWpo
Charles is the husband of Carolyn who is a member of my 'nother family. I am broken hearted. They had just moved to PCB and bought a home a couple months ago. Please pray for Carol and all the family. Thanks
