Search
Close this search box.

20-year old man involved in fatal water rescue incident near Miramar Beach

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, South Walton Fire District (SWFD) responded to a fatal water rescue incident near Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access. The original 911 caller reported to SWFD Dispatchers that multiple swimmers were in distress near 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive. SWFD’s Surf 5 lifeguard responded to the caller’s location, then entered the water and made […]

SWFD

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, South Walton Fire District (SWFD) responded to a fatal water rescue incident near Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access.

The original 911 caller reported to SWFD Dispatchers that multiple swimmers were in distress near 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive. SWFD’s Surf 5 lifeguard responded to the caller’s location, then entered the water and made contact with several swimmers who were approximately 150 yards offshore.

According to SWFD, these swimmers stated that a male, approximately 20-years old, was in distress and then submerged. They said they had lost sight of the individual and had been searching for them while lifeguards were enroute.

  • At that time, two more lifeguards and SWFD Advanced Life Support arrived on-scene. The lifeguard signaled back to shore of a “Code X” at 2:04 p.m., which initiates the search for a missing swimmer.

According to SWFD, the three lifeguards began searching in a pattern to the east based on the direction of the current and located the victim at 2:16 p.m. Lifeguards then brought the victim back to shore, where the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene.

  • SWFD reports that single red flags were flying at the time the incident occurred, which indicates high surf hazards and the presence of dangerous rip currents.

The 2023 Beach Safety Season will begin on Wednesday, March 1, with the staffing of lifeguard towers and full-scale beach safety operations. Until that date, lifeguards are patrolling 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day in accordance with off-season protocol.

Lifeguards encourage beach patrons to heed the beach flag warning system at all times. For daily beach flag updates, text SAFETY to 31279.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“Will there be a new traffic signal on Beal Parkway for the new Eglin Credit Union Ops Center on Beal Parkway?”
Respond
“Yeah like Trump and Musk could give a flying Philadelphia Phelch about this historic ship! Much better for it to be a museum. Loved the comment how Trump and Musk...”
Respond
“As a truck driver who used to haul for a customer in the area where the SS United States is berthed, I would see her on my way back up...”
Respond
“All ships eventually go to scrap, the bottom, or rust away to nothing. Our beloved museum ships are no different, they've just gotten a temporary reprieve. Even if she were...”
Respond
“Growing up and going over to Walt Whitman that was the main thing I always looked for was that beautiful ship I used to park across the street and get...”
Respond
“This is the new America. Remember what we do to our icons? We destroy them. We couldn't care less.”
Respond
“There was one other idea that I haven’t seen mentioned with this ship. That is to bury it on land up to the water line. This would make it available...”
Respond
“After 50 years of slowly declining conditions including a sale of all interior contents and then asbestos removal there is no “there there.” Reefing will keep the legend alive for...”
Respond
“Do not lose faith in your vision and plan no matter what the noisy negative voices say. You presented a Place, a Purpose, and a Plan that no one else...”
Respond
“What county?”
Respond