A woman has died and five other people had to be rescued after they became caught in strong rip currents off Miami Beach Thursday night, officials said.
Miami Beach Police officials said officers responded to a call of swimmers in distress at the 17 Street Beach shortly before 7 p.m.
Ocean Rescue entered the water and were able to put 35-year-old Maria Perez on a rescue board and bring her to shore. She was brought to Mount Sinai Hospital where she later died.
Four other victims, including three children, were able to make it to shore with the help of bystanders. An officer on a marine patrol boat also rescued a man who was in the water. All five were in stable condition and expected to be okay.
Police said the group was all in town from Illinois.
Authorities offered some tips to get away from a rip current:
- Stay calm.
- Don’t fight the current.
- Escape by swimming laterally, and then at an angle toward shore.
- If you are unable to escape by swimming, float or tread water.
- If you feel you will be unable to reach shore, call and wave for help.
