Man drowns on Holmes Beach amid red flag conditions
Related video above: Dad, 10-year-old daughter drown after being swept away at Pass-a-Grille Beach in April 2023.
ANNA MARIA ISLAND, Fla. (WFLA) — A man drowned on Holmes Beach Saturday afternoon, amid red flags being posted along Anna Maria Island, according to the West Manatee Fire Rescue District.
Crews said the drowning occurred around 77th Street. The man was around 75 years old and was with his wife, who officials said was unharmed.
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Rodney Kwiatkowski, the district’s Fire Marshal, said there was, and remains to be, a red flag warning on Anna Maria Beaches.
Officials believe the victim’s cause of death was from high surf conditions or a rip current.
At 7:41 a.m. on Saturday, the National Weather Service issued a rip current statement until 8 p.m., advising beachgoers of dangerous rip currents including the Manatee, Sarasota, Pinellas, and Hillsborough coastal areas.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family and friends,” Kwiatkowski said. “West Manatee Fire Rescue cautions, even the strongest of swimmers, from entering the waters during red flag hazard conditions.”
Crews said the man was not a local resident and was visiting the area.
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