Many people are eager to jump on their plans now that the official start of summer is only a few days away. However, the authorities advise the public to be careful, especially near the water, which may be unexpected and hazardous.
Over the weekend, authorities were requested to come to Huguenot Park in Jacksonville, which is located in Florida.
While swimming in the ocean, Larry Dupree, age 31, and two of his four children were carried out to sea by a rip current. All four of the Dupree children were unharmed. Visitors to the beach quickly gathered and formed a human chain, which made it possible for the man’s children, ages 4 and 9, to be saved.
Unfortunately, he could not be rescued since he drowned before anybody could get to him.
BREAKING: A body recovery mission is underway after a swimmer disappeared at Huguenot Park, sources told News4Jax.
— Brie Isom (@BrieIsom) May 23, 2021
News4Jax was told the swimmer, who was described as a man wearing black shorts, took children into the water and has not been seen since. This was at 1:30. pic.twitter.com/RjjbxXPo27
When Dupree went missing, there was a significant threat posed by rip currents on the beach, and red flags had been placed there.
If you enter the water up to your chest, you will have little chance of surviving the rip current. Rod Sullivan, an authority on sea matters, expressed his pessimism to News4Jax, saying, “You’re not going to win.” “If you are there with young children and they get caught in the rip current, that makes things very tough for you. You might place yourself in a very precarious situation by doing that.”
When the police arrived on the scene, the operation was a search and rescue mission; nevertheless, it quickly transitioned into a recovery mission.
By the time Monday morning rolled around, the hunt was canceled. A beach patrol from the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department discovered the body of a deceased person in the park.
According to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Murder Sgt. Ed Bawroski, “Unfortunately, it seems that the victim drowned yesterday.”
While she was still mourning over her husband’s loss, Heather Dupree made it a point to express her gratitude to the strangers who had helped save her children.
She expressed her gratitude to those who assisted her with her children at the beach by saying, “I want everyone who helped me with my kids at the beach yesterday to know how thankful I am from the bottom of my heart for their love, kindness, and thoughtfulness.”
A GoFundMe account has been set up to aid the family in meeting the upcoming costs associated with the upbringing of their four children.
The ultimate act of bravery that this father displayed was to save the lives of his children. How incredibly selfless you are.
In this most challenging time, I ask that you spread the word about this tragedy on Facebook and keep this family in your prayers.
