Former firefighter drowns in Panama City Beach attempting to help distressed swimmers
PANAMA CITY BEACH − A retired firefighter captain from Georgia is dead after attempting to rescue two swimmers from the Gulf of Mexico.
According to a report from the Beach Police, 52-year-old Richard Alford of Lula, Georgia, drowned Thursday in Panama City Beach after he entered the Gulf to help two beachgoers who were fighting a rip current.
The incident occurred at Public Beach Access 75, which is located near Front Beach Road and South Vestavia Street.
The report states double red flags were displayed along the coast at that time, meaning the water was closed under penalty of a $500 fine. It also notes one beachgoer entered the water to help another who was struggling. Alford then jumped in to assist both. The two survived, but Alford did not.
"(Alford) jumped in the water to try and rescue two swimmers in distress, but unfortunately he paid the ultimate sacrifice," said Daryl Paul, beach safety director for Panama City Beach Fire Rescue. "When our units arrived on scene, he was submerged. ... It was really tough conditions."
Lifeguards pulled him ashore, where awaiting emergency medical crews began performing machine-assisted CPR. He remained unresponsive and was then transferred to a local hospital and pronounced dead.
Paul said the incident proves how those who disregard double red flags put others in danger. It also shows how important it is for only trained lifeguards to attempt a water rescue.
PCB lifeguards patrol about 9.5 miles of the Gulf, either on ATVs, in trucks or by jet skis. At least one lifeguard also is stationed in both of the city's two lifeguard towers, which are located on each side of the Russell-Fields Pier.
"We are trained professionals, we practice in these conditions (and) we are ready for this," Paul said. "And before that, heed the flag warnings. ... Nobody should have been in the water in the first place."
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Alford was a retired captain with about 20 years experience working for the Banks County Fire Department in Homer, Georgia. Information from the department notes he did not have any official open water training.
According to city leaders, neither of the people whom Alford attempted to help were ticketed for being in the Gulf under double red flags. Such citations are issued by code enforcement officers, all of whom were busy at that time writing tickets in other areas of the beach.
Paul said roaming lifeguards passed Access 75 multiple times before the drowning occurred to remind beachgoers to stay out of the water.
"Often times when we leave, they just get right back in the water," he said. "They don't heed the warnings, and so that's why it's so important to stress (for beachgoers) to pay attention to the flags (and) listen to the lifeguards.
"Someone else paid the price here. The two people who he went out to save (made) it to shore."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Former firefighter drowns off the coast of Panama City Beach
