Another tourist drowns in Panama City Beach; second local drowning in less than a week

PANAMA CITY BEACH − Another tourist has drowned off the coast of Panama City Beach after being caught in a rip current.

This marks the second local drowning in less than a week.

According to a news release from the Panama City Beach Police Department, 47-year-old Christopher Pierce of Helena, Alabama, drowned Sunday after he attempted to "rescue his daughter from a rip current." The incident occurred at about 3:45 p.m. near Tidewater Beach Condominiums, 16819 Front Beach Road.

"Officers arrived to find Panama City Beach Safety actively engaged in a rescue operation," the release reads. "While Mr. Pierce succeeded in rescuing his daughter, he was sadly overcome by the strong currents himself."

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The release also states that "despite immediate life-saving measures and swift" emergency medical transportation, Pierce was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

"The conditions at the time were severe, with single red flags indicating extreme water hazard," the release reads. "We implore the public to always heed these warnings and be aware of the grave dangers that can accompany these conditions."

This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Alabama man drowns while trying to save daughter in Panama City Beach