Local News

Rip currents leave one dead

Posted: 10/26/08 at 11:32 pm EDT

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- A 57-year-old man in Hollywood has died after getting caught in deadly rip currents Friday morning.

The man was pronounced dead by doctors after he was transported to the hospital at around 8:30 in the morning.

With his death, rescuers are warning swimmers to stay out of the water. "We're flying red flags for an extremely dangerous current," said Fort Lauderdale Ocean Rescuer's Breck Ballou.

Siru Huotari, who is visiting South Florida from Finland didn't let the winds keep her family from at least visiting the beach. "A little windy," she said. "It's very breezy. The kids were afraid the couldn't walk on the beach."

Rescuers emphasize that beach goers should swim only if you have the experience. If you're an inexperienced swimmer, you're urged to exercise caution when venturing into the waves.

Should you be caught in a rip current do not swim against it. Swim parallel with the shore until you are free from the pull of the current.

But the best advice is to stay out of the water altogether.

(Copyright 2008 by Sunbeam Television Corp. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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