Tragic beach incident in Florida: Parents drown in surf while children watch

A tragic incident occurred when a couple with their six children vacationing on a beach in Florida died while swimming in the ocean. Their children had to witness the gruesome scenes.

The family of eight was enjoying a day at Stuart Beach on Hutchinson Island on Florida’s southeast coast when the accident occurred. According to emergency services, both parents and two of their teenage children were caught in a rip current.

The teenagers managed to escape the current and tried to rescue their parents, Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, but the situation became too dangerous and they were forced to return to shore, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office reported.

“The children managed to break through the current and tried to help their parents, but it became too dangerous and they were forced to swim to shore,” the sheriff’s office said on Facebook.

Lifeguards from Martin County Ocean Rescue spotted the couple and performed CPR on the beach. Paramedics from Martin County Fire Rescue then transported the parents to Cleveland Clinic North.

“Life-saving efforts continued in the ambulance and at the hospital, where doctors did their last best before pronouncing the couple dead,” the sheriff’s office said.

Warnings of dangerous rip currents had been issued earlier that day. The Martin County Fire Department had informed beachgoers via Facebook that red flags had been raised at Jensen Beach, Stuart Beach and Hobe Sound.

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“Happy Thursday! Surf is 4 to 6 feet high and there is a slight current heading north so please be careful when entering the ocean,” the post said. “The water temperature is 25 degrees and there is an east-southeast wind blowing at around 15 to 20 mph. We recommend only strong swimmers as surf backwash is to be expected. If you want to go to the beach, please visit one of our patrolled beaches.”

Members of the sheriff’s office crisis intervention team had been assisting the couple’s six children while they waited for other family members to arrive in Florida.

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