First responders describe their efforts to reach family caught in rip current

MARTIN COUNTY — A day after two people drowned after they were swept into the tide while swimming at a private beach, firefighters spoke Thursday about efforts to reach the man and woman in rough waters in off Hutchinson Island.

Despite what was described as an immediate effort to reach the family caught in the rip current south of the guarded Stuart Beach area, the man and woman died after rescue efforts by Martin County Fire Rescue Ocean Rescue and medical staff at Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital where they were taken in serious condition and were later pronounced dead.

The couple was identified as Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, who were vacationing in Florida with their six children from Pennsylvania, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

“Our lifeguards spotted them from their turn on Stuart Beach,” said Cory Pippin, spokesman for the Martin County Fire Department. “They went straight into a rip current.”

After seeing the family enter the ocean “directly into a rip current,” rescuers began heading south from a county park tower to swimmers being carried into rough waters along a private beach near Hutchinson Island area resorts and condos.

Rescuers rode in all-terrain vehicles from a guard tower at Stuart Beach Park to the north to help what was once four people battling the current on Thursday.

As they headed south to the shore near a Hutchinson Island Resort Marriott at 109 Northeast Tradewind Lane, emergency dispatchers began receiving 911 calls requesting help for swimmers in distress. around 1:30 p.m., Pippin said.

“Our lifeguards responded immediately when they saw the victims enter the water,” Pippin said. “…(they) actually saw the swimmers in the water and were responding when the 911 call came in.”

Two of the teens were also swept away by the current and attempted to save their parents, but as water conditions worsened, they were able to free themselves and swim to shore, according to the County Sheriff’s Office. Martin County.

Pippin said Warter and Wishard were in the water for several minutes and were partially submerged, but were still afloat when they were reached and pulled to shore by rescuers using fins and buoys.

On this day, water conditions at local parks were considered hazardous, with high waves and strong currents, or what are known as red flag conditions.

After both men were removed from the water, Pippin said the beaches were closed to swimmers with a double red flag.

More: Florida beaches are on alert for very dangerous rip currents until Friday. How to stay safe

“In the ocean here, it doesn’t take long to get into trouble and for someone to find themselves in a life-threatening situation,” he said. “Always swim at a supervised beach and know your swimming ability.”

He said there was still a high potential for waves and rip currents at beaches Friday, and advised beachgoers to pay attention to flags and water conditions. Swimmers can also check Martin County Fire Rescue’s social media posts for daily beach reports.

“It doesn’t take long for a family vacation or outing to turn tragic if you get caught in a rip current.”

Corey Arwood is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast newspapers. Follow @coreyarwood on X, email [email protected] or call 772-978-2246.

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