Chicago Woman Dies, 5 Swimmers Hospitalized In Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, FL — Tragedy struck a suburban Chicago family on Thursday as first responders and Good Samaritans pulled a 35-year-old woman, three children and two men from rough seas. The woman died later at Mount Sinai Medical Center. The incident occurred along the 17 Street beach.

"The remaining victims were in stable condition and expected to be okay," Ernesto Rodriguez of the Miami Beach Police Department told Patch Friday morning. "It is believed the swimmers were caught in a rip current."

Subscribe to Miami Beach Patch's free email news alerts and newsletters to stay up to date on what's happening in this urban beach resort

Maria Perez of the northern Chicago suburb of Round Lake died in the incident. First responders rescued two 11-year-old girls, an 11-year-old boy and two men — 39-year-old Eleazor Rangel and 37-year-old Juan Rodriguez, both of Round Lake.

Rodriguez said that all of the victims were staying in West Palm Beach but visiting South Beach at the time of the incident shortly before 7 p.m.

He did not know the exact relationship of the victims to one another. He said that first responders did everything they could to save Perez, who was spotted about a quarter mile from shore.

"Ocean Rescue entered the water, swam to Ms. Maria Perez, placed her on a rescue board and brought her back to shore to be transported to Mount Sinai," Rodriguez explained.

Miami Beach Police officer Lee Claire rescued Rangal with his Marine Patrol boat. Rangal was taken to a marina where he was then driven by a Miami Fire Department ambulance to the hospital.

"The remaining four victims were able to make it to shore with the assistance of bystanders and were transported to Mount Sinai Hospital as well," Rodriguez said.

Perez died shortly after she arrived at the hospital.

Rip currents are described by the U.S. National Ocean Service as "narrow channels of fast-moving water" that are prevalent along the East, Gulf and West coasts of the United States as well as along the shores of the Great Lakes.

"Moving at speeds of up to eight feet per second, rip currents can move faster than an Olympic swimmer," the agency warns. "Lifeguards rescue tens of thousands of people from rip currents in the U.S. every year, but it is estimated that 100 people are killed by rip currents annually."

The agency advised people not to attempt to fight a rip current. "Swim parallel to the shore and swim back to land at an angle," according to the agency.

Miami Beach first responders suggests that people try floating or treading water if they are unable to escape a rip current by swimming.

"If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, call and wave for help," Miami Beach first responders told Patch.

Photo by Paul Scicchitano