Tragedy struck in Destin on Friday when a Texas tourist drowned in the Gulf of Mexico after being caught in an apparent rip tide. The 39-year-old man had just arrived in town and was swimming near the Shirah Beach Access when the incident occurred around 1:15 p.m.
According to reports, a lifeguard spotted the man struggling in the water and acted quickly to bring him back to shore. Despite the lifeguard’s efforts to save him, the man was unresponsive and emergency life-saving measures were initiated immediately.
- Okaloosa County EMS arrived on the scene and transported the man to the Destin ER, where he was pronounced deceased despite intense efforts to revive him.
Rip currents can be dangerous and unpredictable, and beachgoers are reminded to heed all warning signs and advisories.
