A Pennsylvania couple tragically lost their lives while vacationing in Florida with their six children, after being caught in a rip current.

Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishart, 48, found themselves in a dangerous situation while swimming with two of their teenage children on Hutchinson Island on June 20.

Although the teenagers managed to survive, unfortunately, their parents were unable to escape the treacherous ocean waters.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has issued a statement providing a detailed account of the alarming incident. The release states that the teenagers made courageous attempts to rescue their parents, but unfortunately, they were unable to overcome the strong current. Emergency services were promptly dispatched, and rescue efforts were set in motion. Regrettably, even after being taken to a nearby hospital, both Brian and Erica were declared deceased by medical personnel.

According to a representative from Martin County Fire Rescue, Phillyburbs.com reported that the water conditions on that Tuesday afternoon were extremely dangerous. Red flags were flown at the beach to alert swimmers about the hazardous riptide conditions. These flags serve as a helpful tool for beachgoers, providing them with important information about potential water hazards, like powerful rip currents.

In an interview with CBS 12 News, Larry Warter, Brian’s father, revealed that his son and Erica had been in a relationship for more than a year and were planning to get married. Erica had four children, while Brian had two. The couple had originally decided to wait until all of their children completed college before getting married. Their journey to Stuart, Florida, marked a significant milestone in their lives.

“They were absolutely thrilled, completely overjoyed about going down,” Larry Warter recalled. “This was the first time. This was the experiment. They managed to gather all six of their children in one place. They had been meticulously planning it for over a month.”

Brian Warter’s parents expressed their strong love for the couple. Larry Warter observed that the love between Brian and Erica was unmistakable to anyone who spent time with them. Susie Warter, Brian’s mother, mentioned that the couple was adored by all who knew them, and there was great anticipation for their future together.

The Warter family has been overwhelmed by the tremendous support they have received from their community. “We’ve been overwhelmed by offers of help and everything else. We thought we were going through this alone and it hasn’t been,” Larry Warter shared.

In a heartfelt tribute on a fundraising page, Wayne Sallurday shared his thoughts and memories of Erica. Erica was truly an incredible individual. The post shared the heartwarming story of a mother who had two biological sons and two adopted daughters, with the youngest son joining the family at a young age.

“Erica had the opportunity to work with special needs children at an elementary school, and she also gained experience working in her school library. She dedicated a considerable amount of time to volunteering at her local church. We could go on and on, but we think you get the picture by now. She was an incredibly kind and genuine person.”

The GoFundMe page set up in their memory has raised over $60,000, showcasing the incredible generosity of the community in response to the tragedy.

On its website, the National Weather Service provides important guidance on rip currents. It emphasizes that while rip currents do not pull swimmers underwater, they can quickly exhaust them. Staying calm is crucial.

Attempting to swim against a rip current will only deplete your energy, which is crucial for your survival and escaping the rip current. Avoid attempting to swim straight towards the shore. Swim along the shoreline until you escape the current’s pull. The website provides advice on swimming at an angle away from the current towards the shore when free from its pull. The service also recommends never swimming alone and adhering to the motto, “If in doubt, don’t go out!”

This tragic event is a powerful reminder of the risks associated with rip currents and the critical need to pay attention to safety advisories when swimming.