Maine Father Dies Rescuing Children from Florida Rip Current

Juno Beach, Fla. — Ryan Jennings, a 46-year-old father from North Yarmouth, Maine, died on April 1 while rescuing two of his young children from a powerful rip current during a family vacation at Juno Beach in Palm Beach County.

Jennings was swimming with his wife, Emily, and their three children in an unguarded area of the beach when his 12-year-old son, Jax, and 9-year-old daughter, Charlie, were pulled into the current around 3:25 p.m. Witnesses and family accounts describe Jennings rushing into the water without hesitation. He threw his son toward shore to seek help and held his daughter above the waves until rescuers could reach them. The effort left him exhausted and struggling.

Palm Beach County Fire Rescue lifeguards initiated a water rescue, bringing four people ashore, including the children and Jennings. An off-duty firefighter also assisted at the scene. Juno Beach police officers arrived after hearing screams from Emily and found Jennings unconscious in shallow water, with bystanders attempting to pull him to safety. Officers dragged him onto the beach and performed CPR before paramedics transported him to Jupiter Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. His...