3 Alabama Men Drown Off Florida Beach
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Florida – Three young men from Alabama have passed away after encountering distress while swimming in the Gulf of Mexico near Watercress Condominiums on Thomas Drive in Bay County near Panama City Beach, Florida.
The incident unfolded late Friday evening when the Bay County Sheriff's Office received a distress call at 8:11 PM, reporting three swimmers in trouble behind Watercress Condominiums.
The immediate response involved Bay County Emergency Services, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), and the U.S. Coast Guard, with the Sheriff's Office Air Unit also deployed to aid in the search and rescue efforts.
Initially, one swimmer was located and pulled from the Gulf, receiving medical care as the search continued for the other two.
Subsequent updates from the Sheriff's Office Friday night brought more somber news. The second swimmer was found and taken to a local hospital, but despite efforts, one of the swimmers had already succumbed to the conditions. The third swimmer was eventually located and transported to a hospital, yet, tragically, all three men passed away.
Sheriff Tommy Ford expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating, "It is with profound sadness that we announce all three young men that entered the water around 8 PM today and became distressed have passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families. I want to thank Bay County Emergency Services, the FWC, and the Coast Guard for their help in the rescue efforts."
The three men had arrived in Panama City Beach earlier in the afternoon and decided to go swimming shortly after. The exact circumstances leading to their distress in the water are still under investigation.
The National Weather Service has issued a High Rip Current Risk statement that is in effect for the entire Florida panhandle through Sunday night.
Six people died this week from swimming at Florida beaches within just the last three days.
On Thursday, two parents died after swimming with their children on Florida's east coast and another man died off Panama City Beach.
