Overview
- Rescue crews found four people in the surf near South 4th Street in Cocoa Beach and pulled them to shore.
- A 42-year-old man from Connecticut and a 34-year-old woman from Ohio were taken to Cape Canaveral Hospital and were later pronounced dead.
- Fire officials say a rip current likely swept the group offshore, with recent 6 to 8 foot surf cutting gaps in sandbars that can trigger sudden "flash" rip currents.
- The rescue site sat about three-quarters of a mile from the nearest lifeguard tower, and a child in the group did not need medical care.
- Officials urge swimmers to stay near lifeguards, float and wave for help, and swim parallel to escape, as Brevard Ocean Rescue works to hire about 45 more lifeguards for summer.