Tragic Turn of Events: Three Distressed Swimmers Reported in Hazardous Waters at Panama City Beach

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL – In the evening of Friday, June 21st, the Bay County Sheriff's Office (BCSO) received a call reporting three distressed swimmers in the Gulf behind Watercress Condominiums at 6201 Thomas Drive. The beach was under a single red flag condition. According to the beach warning flag system in Panama City Beach, a single red flag indicates High Hazard, High Surf and/or Strong Currents. This means that the water conditions are hazardous and swimmers should exercise extreme caution or avoid entering the water altogether.

At approximately 8pm one swimmer was located and pulled from the Gulf. He received immediate medical care. Two others were still missing.

The BCSO used their Air Unit and worked with the Coast Guard and the Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) to locate the two missing men. All three are believed to be from out of town and not local.

At 10:00pm, it was conveyed that one of two distressed swimmers reported missing had been located and pulled from Gulf waters and received medical care. One other swimmer remained missing. The search continued in the area near Watercress Condominiums where the three were reported in distress shortly after 8:00PM. All three are believed to be from out of town.

At 10:40pm BCSO reported the third missing swimmer has been located. He received medical care. At this time, one of the three distressed swimmers has passed away.

At 11:20pm, all three of the distressed swimmers had been located and all three had passed away at local hospitals.

"It is with profound sadness that we announce all three young men that entered the water around 8PM today and became distressed have passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families," Sheriff Ford said. "I want to thank Bay County Emergency Services, the FWC, and the Coast Guard for their help in the rescue efforts."

The three young men arrived in Panama City Beach Friday afternoon and soon after went swimming. They are all from Alabama.

Rip tides, also known as rip currents, are strong, narrow currents that flow away from the shore and can be dangerous for swimmers. If you find yourself caught in a rip tide, follow these steps to stay safe and escape:

1. Remain calm: Panic can lead to exhaustion and make it harder for you to swim. Stay calm, conserve your energy, and focus on your escape plan.

2. Do not swim against the current: Swimming against the rip tide is both tiring and ineffective. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current's pull.

Signal for help: If you are unable to escape the rip tide on your own, signal for help by waving your arms or calling for assistance. Beach lifeguards and other swimmers may be able to help you.

3. Float: If you become too tired to swim, float on your back or tread water to conserve energy. The rip tide will eventually lose its strength, and you can swim back to shore when it does.

4. Wait for the current to weaken: Rip tides are strongest near the shore, so waiting for the current to weaken before attempting to swim back to shore can make your escape easier.

5. Swim back to shore at an angle: Once you are out of the current's pull or it has weakened, swim back to shore at a 45-degree angle, relative to the current. This will help you avoid being pulled back into the rip tide.

Remember, prevention is the best way to stay safe from rip tides. Always check the beach warning flag system before entering the water, and avoid swimming in areas with strong currents or under red flag conditions. If you are unsure about the water conditions, you can always check here: https://www.pcbfl.gov/

If you'd like text alerts when the flags change you can sign up by texting "PCBFLAGS" to 888777.