***Learn about swimming safety above.***
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJW) – Authorities are cautioning beachgoers after five people drowned within four days at a popular tourist destination in northwest Florida.
According to the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the beach on the west end of Panama City Beach for a distressed swimmer in the Gulf of Mexico Sunday morning.
When first responders arrived, family members were already trying to bring the swimmer, identified as 60-year-old Debbie Szymanski, back to shore.
Szymanski, who had been visiting the area with her family from St. Louis, Missouri, was pronounced dead at the hospital, the sheriff’s office said.
The drowning was just the latest in a string of recent tragedies at the beach town, which is a little more than 110 miles from Tallahassee.
Two days earlier, first responders responded to reports of three distressed swimmers in the Gulf behind the Watercress Condominiums on Thomas Drive. After a search by emergency services and the U.S. Coast Guard, all three were found and taken to area hospitals.
The swimmers, who investigators say were young men from Alabama, died in the hospital.
“I’m praying for their family and ask that you do the same,” said Sheriff Tommy Ford on Facebook at the time. “It is such a tragedy.”
As reported by Fox News and other outlets, a 19-year-old tourist from Oklahoma was killed after getting caught in a rip current off Panama City Beach.
The Bay County Sheriff’s Office has posted multiple notices on Facebook, reminding both tourists and locals that single red flags on the beach indicate strong currents in the Gulf.
“Always use caution when swimming in Gulf waters,” the post said.
Earlier this month, an 11-year-old boy drowned after he was swept away by strong Lake Erie rip currents at Conneaut Township Park. His body was found after a dayslong search.
If you get caught in a rip current, rescue teams urge swimmers not to panic. Rather, look for the chance to swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of the rip current’s grip.
Lifeguards say most swimmers tire themselves out while attempting to return to the beach. If possible, the best bet is to swim near a lifeguard station.
Learn more about dangerous rip currents here.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
