Search
Close this search box.

New details released in Destin drowning of Georgia husband and wife

Witnesses say the family was struggling about 75 to 100 yards offshore when a bystander used a boogie board to rescue the son.
OCSO

The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office has identified the husband and wife who drowned Tuesday in the Gulf near a Destin resort and released new details about the incident that claimed their lives while their son survived.

  • The couple were residents of Buford, Georgia, ages 57 and 54 respectively, according to a sheriff’s office news release Wednesday.

Witnesses told deputies the couple and their 26-year-old son were spotted struggling in the Gulf about 75 to 100 yards offshore of 1040 U.S. Highway 98. A bystander borrowed a boogie board and went out to try to rescue them.

He was able to get the son to shore, and his actions saved the young man’s life, the sheriff’s office said.

Beach safety personnel pulled the mother out of the water while Destin Beach Safety and an OCSO Marine Unit located the father. Intense and extensive lifesaving measures were performed on both parents but were unsuccessful.

Yellow flags were flying on the beach at the time

PROMOTION

One Response

  1. My prayers to all family and friends of the deceased. Praying for the son for a full recovery in JESUS CHRIST NAME.

Join the conversation...

Continue reading 👇

Community Comments

“This should be done in the winter. There’s a shortage of parking for boat trailers in the area. Why close it down during the boating season? Okaloosa county is doing...”
Respond
“Thank you for this detailed reporting on a very important Govt. function. This is what we need in our local news source. Thank you”
Respond
“3310 Scenic Hwy 98, Destin, FL 32541 This is just west of James Lee Beach”
Respond
“I guess no one can explain "exactly where this is located?" That is a major flaw with this site.”
Respond
“Can anyone explain exactly where this is located ?”
Respond
“How much longer before the county realizes there’s a massive amount of out of county/state boaters here now and start building bigger and better boat ramps and boat trailer parking...”
Respond
“So what's the rest of the story? Where were they found? Who was neglecting them? Was anyone arrested? Who?”
Respond
“Agreed, would liked it spent on expanding beach accesses to east like when they purchased land in Crystal Beach for parking. Henderson State Pk or relying on DoD land (wo/...”
Respond
“I moved to FWB July 1990 , I had been to FWB several times. I loved his saying’s by checkout “ I would rather you pull a gun than a...”
Respond

GET OUR FREE LOCAL NEWSLETTER

Get the weekday email that actually makes reading local news enjoyable again.