Couple visiting FL drowns at beach as boogie boarder saves their son, cops say
A husband and wife visiting the Florida coast from Georgia drowned after they were spotted struggling in the water far from shore with their son, authorities said.
A boogie boarder saved the couple’s 26-year-old son, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said.
Witnesses noticed the family in distress about 75 to 100 yards off the beach near a resort in Destin on May 27, according to deputies in the Panhandle.
One bystander borrowed someone’s boogie board and headed out in the gulf, where yellow flags were flying to indicate moderate surf and currents, the sheriff’s office said.
“He was able to get the 26-year-old son to shore, and his actions saved the young man’s life,” deputies said in an update on the incident May 28.
But the husband and wife slipped under the water, and beach personnel later pulled the 54-year-old mom out of the water before finding the 57-year-old dad as well, according to authorities.
“Intense and extensive lifesaving measures were performed on both but were unsuccessful,” deputies said.
Law enforcement did not disclose the identity of the couple.
The family was from Buford, Georgia, near the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Drowning
At least 4,000 people die from drowning every year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and drowning is a leading cause of death for children.
Some factors can make drowning more likely, including not knowing how to swim, a lack of close supervision, not wearing a life jacket, and drinking alcohol while recreating near or in water.
The National Drowning Prevention Alliance said there are tips to help keep you safe in the water, including checking local weather conditions, never swimming alone and choosing the right equipment.
“Don’t hesitate to get out of the water if something doesn’t feel right,” the group said on its website. “Whether it’s that the current is getting rough, rain has started to fall, or your body is just not responding like you would like it to due to fatigue or muscle cramps, then just leave and return to the water another day. It’s always a good thing to trust your instincts.”
This story was originally published May 29, 2025 at 10:33 AM with the headline "Couple visiting FL drowns at beach as boogie boarder saves their son, cops say."