Rip Current — Escambia, Florida

2001-06-06 · near Pensacola Beach, Escambia, Florida

Event narrative

A 59 year old male from Tennessee and his daughters father in-law, a 60 year old male from Great Britain, both drowned while swimming in rough waters near the Santa Rosa and Escambia county lines. The male from England was swimming in the rough surf when he encountered a strong rip current. The male from Tennessee jumped in to help the man from England and they both drowned. Two firefighters attempting to rescue the men had to be pulled from the heavy surf and were transported to a local hospital. They were checked over and released. Rescuers on the scene said the surf was the roughest they had ever seen. The drownings occurred near Parking Lot number 1 east of Pensacola Beach.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5251529. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.