Rip Current in Escambia County, Florida

A nineteen year old male from the local area drowned after being swept into the gulf by a strong rip current. He was swimming with two other youths when they were pulled seaward. Two of the youths were able to get out of the rip current and swim to shore. The young men were swimming in an unguarded area of the beach. Several beach-goers tried to rescue the drowning victim, but almost drowned themselves while attempting the rescue. Yellow flags warning of dangerous rip currents were flying at the time of the drowning.