A father and his 10-year-old daughter died Sunday after being swept offshore in St. Pete Beach, Fla., according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputies from the department responded to Pass-a-Grille beach in the area around 6:45 p.m. Sunday to help rescue 42-year-old Michael Stephens and Isabella Stephens.
Earlier that day, they were out with Michael’s other daughters, 13-year-old Trinity Stephens and 20-year-old Brittany Stephens, as well as Brittany’s 20-year-old boyfriend, Jessie Johnson. While they were in the water, the group noticed an “ongoing rip current strengthen,” said authorities.
Johnson helped Brittany out of the water and then attempted to assist Michael and Isabella. However, they had drifted too far from shore and the current had become too strong, so Trinity called 911 for help. She gave the phone to a passerby, the sheriff’s office said.
It was nearly 8 p.m. when deputies assigned to the department Flight Unit spotted Michael around half mile off the coast.
“With assistance from the USCG and St. Pete Fire Rescue, deputies assigned to the Marine Unit were able to rescue both subjects,” but they were later pronounced dead after being transported to a local hospital.
According to authorities, the incident does not appear to be suspicious. An investigation is ongoing.
In the U.S., there are around 11 unintentional drowning deaths per day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It said that life jackets can help prevent drowning incidents.
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