Parents of couple who drowned at Florida beach while on vacation speak out: report
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TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The parents of a couple who died in a rip current on a Florida beach are speaking out days following the tragedy.
On Thursday, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, and their six kids were vacationing on Stuart Beach when a rip current swept away the couple and two of their children.
Brian’s parents spoke to NBC affiliate WPTV, saying they heard Brian had gone into the water to help some children swept away by a current when it pulled him under.
“We just went numb,” his parents said. “Your world gets turned upside down.”
“One of the children of the deceased was trying to yell to them instructions of how to swim parallel to the shore, … but they were in panic mode and unfortunately went under,” Chief Deputy John Budensiek told WPTV.
Brian’s parents described him as a great father full of compassion and intelligence, adding that Erica was a perfect match for their son.
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When WPTV asked the parents if they had a message for their son, Brian’s father Larry said, “He knows we’re proud of him.”
As for his mother, Susie: “Very proud of him, and we love him. We always love him.”
His parents added that the couple had begun dating a year-and-a-half ago and were vacationing with their six children, from different marriages. Two of the kids, 20 and 22, who were Brian’s, are now staying with their mother in Tampa, while the father of Erica’s four kids flew into Florida Thursday evening.
They said their grandkids are doing “surprisingly well” but added, how much above horrible is there?”
According to WPTV, the family is still working on the funeral arrangements.
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