A St. Louis-area woman has drowned in the Gulf of Mexico while with family in Panama City Beach, Florida. She was the fifth tourist to drown in four days at the beach, police said.
Police say 60-year-old Deborah Szymanski had been swimming in the Gulf of Mexico at the Florida beach on June 23 when authorities received a call for a distressed swimmer around 11:30 a.m.
When officers arrived, police say family members were already bringing Szymanski, who was unresponsive, to shore.
Police said EMS took her to the hospital where she was pronounced dead.
“Debbie was so full of life, love, laughter and touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her,” her obituary said.
She was a mother of two and a “Mee Maw” of two grandchildren.
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Two days earlier, three Alabama men drowned in the area due to riptides, and an Oklahoma man died after being caught in a rip current on June 20.
Over the last 10 days, red or double red flags were flown at Panama City Beach.
A red flag indicates rough conditions such as strong surf and/or strong currents, and discourages people from entering the water, according to the United States Lifesaving Association. A double red flag means the water is closed to the public.
Important things to know about dangerous ocean rip currents. 'The Independent' reports that rip currents pose the greatest danger to beachgoers, accounting for the most beach rescues every year.