A Pennsylvania couple vacationing with their six children died when they got caught in a powerful rip current off Stuart Beach in southeastern Florida, according to reports and the sheriff's office.
The couple, identified as Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, had gone swimming with two of their teen children on Thursday afternoon off Hutchinson Island when they were swept out into the ocean, the Martin County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.
"The kids ... attempted to help their parents, but it became too dangerous and they were forced to swim ashore," the statement said.
Lifeguards were able to pull the two parents from the water and performed CPR on them, but both died at a local hospital.
The teens frantically tried to tell Warter and Wishard how to swim out of a rip current.
"Multiple witnesses told our investigators that both the male and female, who are now deceased, got in the ocean, right into a rip current and immediately were pulled from the shore," Chief Deputy John Budensiek told WPBF.
"One of the children of the deceased tried to yell to them instructions on how to swim parallel to the shore, but they were in panic mode and unfortunately went under," he told the station.
Warter and Wishard entered the ocean on Thursday when red flags indicating rough surf and strong currents were displayed, WPTV reported.
But the family was staying at a nearby timeshare and were swimming at a private, unguarded beach a few hundred yards from where the flags were flying and the presence of lifeguards.
After the drownings, lifeguards put up double red flags, warning everyone to stay out of the ocean, and they continued to fly on Friday.
Neighbors of the couple, who lived in the suburbs of Philadelphia, said they had been dating for several years and each had three children.
"He was warm. Very considerate. Bright man. Loved his children. Was very patient with them," Susan Verdecchia told WPTV.
"He was a wonderful father and a really good neighbor. And we are very, very sad. And we're gonna miss him," Verdecchia said.
Lauren Aldridge said the community is stunned by their deaths.
"I feel awful for the boys," he said. "Brian was a great dad. He'd always be out here helping the kids, showing them how to mow the lawn. Things like that. So we just are feeling awful for the boys."
The National Weather Service cautions swimmers caught in a rip current to not try to swim directly to shore because the current will only deplete a swimmer's energy.
"Swim along the shoreline until you escape the current's pull. When free from the pull of the current, swim at an angle away from the current toward shore," the NWS advised.
"If you feel you can't reach shore, relax, face the shore, and call or wave for help. Remember: If in doubt, don't go out!" it said.
The sheriff's office said it was assisting the children while they await the arrival of relatives from Pennsylvania.
