During their first family vacation in Florida, long-time partners Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishart, 48, faced an unimaginable tragedy that would change their lives forever.

On June 20, while swimming off Hutchinson Island with two of their children, Brian and Erica found themselves at the mercy of powerful ocean currents. Despite the children’s ability to save themselves, the parents were not as fortunate. The situation quickly escalated, and by the time emergency responders arrived on the scene, a full-scale rescue operation was underway. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of the rescue teams, Brian and Erica were declared dead at a local hospital, leaving their family and friends in deep mourning.

The day of the incident was marked by exceptionally dangerous water conditions. According to Cory Pippen from Martin County Fire Rescue, red flags had been prominently displayed along the beach, warning swimmers of hazardous riptide conditions. These flags are a critical safety measure meant to alert beachgoers to potential dangers, such as strong rip currents that can quickly overwhelm even the strongest swimmers.

Brian and Erica’s relationship had blossomed over more than a year of dating before they decided to get engaged. They had planned to marry after their children graduated from college, looking forward to their future together. This vacation was especially significant for the family, as they had been eagerly anticipating it for some time. It was the first trip of its kind for them, and they had meticulously planned it, taking all six of their children along for what they hoped would be a memorable and joyful experience.

Brian’s father, Larry Warter, expressed the family’s excitement before the trip, saying, “They were so thrilled, they couldn’t see straight about going down.” He highlighted how much the family had looked forward to this vacation, calling it a unique experience that they had carefully planned for over a month.

In the wake of the tragedy, the family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from friends, relatives, and the community. Larry Warter voiced his gratitude, saying, “Offers of assistance and other things have poured in.” The family, though grieving, found solace in knowing they were not alone in their suffering.

To honor the memory of Brian and Erica, a GoFundMe page was set up, where loved ones shared their tributes. One particularly touching tribute came from Wayne Sallurday, who wrote a heartfelt message about Erica. He described her as an extraordinary person, a dedicated teacher, a loving mother, and a community volunteer who gave her time generously to her local church. Wayne emphasized that Erica was one of the kindest souls he had ever met, a sentiment that resonated with many who knew her.

The National Weather Service provides crucial information about rip currents, highlighting that while they don’t pull swimmers underwater, they can exhaust them quickly. In such situations, staying calm is vital. The service advises that trying to swim against a rip current will only deplete your energy, making it harder to survive and escape. Instead, swimmers should swim parallel to the shore until they are free from the current’s grip, and then swim at an angle towards the shore. The service also strongly recommends that swimmers always go out in pairs and heed the advice, “If in doubt, don’t go out!”

This tragic incident serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers posed by rip currents and the importance of paying attention to safety warnings when swimming in the ocean. May Brian and Erica rest in peace.