Particle.news
Download on the App Store
15 ARTICLES
·
10mo ago

Pennsylvania Couple Drowns in Florida Rip Current While Vacationing with Six Children

Brian Warter and Erica Wishard died attempting to rescue their teenage children from a powerful rip current on Hutchinson Island.

"Despite efforts by family members, Martin County Ocean Rescue, MCFR Paramedics, and doctors at Cleveland Clinic North, a Pennsylvania couple caught in a rip current while swimming on Hutchinson Island this afternoon could not be saved.The man and woman, identified as 51-year-old Brian Warter and 48-year-old Erica Wishard, along with their six mostly teenage children, started their Florida vacation day on the beach. While in the water, the couple and two of the teens got swept out by a rip current. The kids were able to break the current and attempted to help their parents, but it became too dangerous and they were forced to swim ashore.Martin County Ocean Rescue located the victims and began CPR on shore. Those life-saving efforts continued in the ambulance and at the hospital where doctors gave it every last effort before declaring the couple deceased.A Martin County Sheriff’s Crisis Intervention Team Deputy assisted the couple’s children throughout the day and evening as they await the arrival of other family members into Florida."
Image

Overview

  • The couple and two of their teenage children were swept out to sea by the rip current.
  • The teens managed to escape and tried to help their parents but were forced to swim ashore.
  • Despite rescue efforts, Warter and Wishard were pronounced dead at the hospital.
  • Red flags had warned of dangerous surf conditions on the day of the incident.
  • Rip currents account for over 100 drownings annually in the U.S.