15-year-old vanishes while swimming with friend, Florida crews say. Body now found

Irene Wright
·2 min read

The body of a 15-year-old Georgia boy was recovered after he fell off a raft in rough surf, Florida officials told news outlets.

The teen was with a friend, also a teenager, and the friend’s mom at Fernandina Beach on Sept. 12 and swimming about 100 feet offshore with a blow-up float, Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue told WFGA.

As the surf grew rougher, the three lost control of the raft and went into the water, officials told the outlet.

They were swept up by a rip current, officials told WJAX, and a witness called 911 to help pull them from the water.

The friend and his mother were pulled from the water by rescuers and taken to a hospital for observation, officials told WJXT, but the 15-year-old had vanished from sight.

Officials continued the search until nightfall, when operations were suspended, the outlet reported.

The search resumed the next morning, but was classified as a recovery mission, officials told WJXT.

Officials found the teen’s body in the afternoon of Sept. 14, they told WJAX.

Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue Chief Ty Silcox told WFGA the beach has been flying red flags to warn swimmers about the strong surf and waves brought in by Hurricane Lee.

“We encourage people to stay out of the water, if you are not a strong swimmer, it’s not good conditions for you to be in the water,” Silcox told the outlet.

Officials have not identified the teen as of Sept. 15.

What is a rip current?

Rip currents are “powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water” that happen on the coasts of the U.S. and in the Great Lakes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

About 100 people are killed by rip currents each year in the U.S., NOAA reported. Lifeguards rescue thousands of people from rip currents annually.

Experts say people can take steps to stay safe from rip currents, including:

  • Check the local water conditions before getting in.

  • Talk to a lifeguard at the beach about the conditions.

  • Only swim at beaches where lifeguards are present.

  • Don’t assume great weather means good swimming conditions.

Fernandina Beach is about 35 miles northeast of Jacksonville.

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