3 Men From AL Died In FL Rip Currents; Marks Third Drowning In 2 Days: Officials

PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL — The three men who died after being caught in a rip current Friday in the Gulf of Mexico at Panama City Beach have been identified, the Bay County Sheriff's Office said Sunday. It was the third case of swimmers dying in a Florida rip current in two days.

Two incidents on Thursday led to a Pennsylvania couple dying in a rip current near Port St. Lucie, while On Thursday afternoon, rescue officials attempted in vain to save a 19-year-old swimmer from Oklahoma drowned in Panama City Beach.

Deputies were dispatched around 8:15 p.m. on a call about distressed swimmers in the 6200 block of Thomas Drive, authorities said.

Upon arrival, one swimmer was found but authorities said two remained missing. During a search and rescue, which Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said lasted at least two hours, authorities said the missing swimmers were located.

All three men were pronounced dead at local hospitals, authorities said.

Authorities identified the swimmers as Birmingham, Alabama, residents Harold Denzel Hunter, 25, Jemonda Ray, 24, and Marius Richardson, 24.

The men arrived from Alabama into Florida on Friday afternoon and "rushed out to get into the water" after checking into a rental property, authorities said. Shortly after getting into the water, authorities said they were caught in a rip current.

"I have such a heavy heart this morning about the loss of three young visitors to our community. I'm praying for their family and ask that you do the same. It is such a tragedy," Ford said in a statement released Sunday.

"I witnessed so many people, including visitors to our community, come together last night on the beach to desperately search for them. The acts of courage by first responders were amazing. Many of our rescue swimmers with the sheriff's office, Bay County Emergency Services and Panama City Beach went into the dark and dangerous waters for over two hours to attempt to rescue and search for the young men. I worry about the emotional toll that these situations take on first responders as I know I’m struggling with it, as well. They have my utmost respect as I know they are suiting up again today to keep our citizens and visitors safe."

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This fatal incident occurred a day after a Pennsylvania couple drowned in the ocean Thursday afternoon after being swept by a rip current at Hutchison Island near Port St. Lucie, the Martin County Sheriff's Office said.

Two of their six children, who were also caught in the current but managed to escape, attempted to save their parents but they were not able to do so due to the danger.

The first fatality happened on Thursday afternoon when the man from Oklahoma ran into trouble in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the Panama City Beach Fire Department.

Lifeguards attempted to perform lifesaving procedures on the man after pulling him from the surf, but he died from his injuries, Yahoo News reported.

The Bay County Sheriff's Office said a distressed swimmer was rescued Sunday and noted double red flags had then been raised, signaling the water was closed to swimmers.

"Please stay out of the water. The water can appear calm but underneath currents are treacherous today. It's just too dangerous right now to swim," authorities said Sunday.

It is unclear if the water was reopened Monday.