Watch CBS News

Man, Woman Die After Being Pulled From Ocean Off Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH (CBS4) – Two people died after they were pulled from the pounding waves off Miami Beach early Sunday afternoon.

Ocean Rescue guards dove in to save an elderly man and woman in the water off 64th Street and Collins Avenue after they were caught in a rip current.

It happened just before noon in front of a lifeguard station.

"It was a guarded section of the beach; they had just been seen one minute and the next minute they were under the water and ocean rescue pulled them out," said Captain Adonis Garcia, spokesman for Miami Beach Fire Rescue.

When the pair was brought ashore, both went into cardiac arrest, according to Garcia.

"I just saw a woman on a stretcher in the ambulance; they carried her to the ambulance, she couldn't move her arms," said Marina Gaiardelli, who was vacationing.

The two, people on the beach described as a husband and wife, were rushed to Mt. Sinai Medical Center where doctors were unable to save them.

Police have not released their names.

Miami Beach Ocean Rescue said the surf conditions were very rough on Sunday and warned bathers by flying red and purple flags.

Those who chose to go in were advised to do so only up to their knees or so.

Lifeguards kept swimmers in the shallow water, Sunday.

According to officials, about 50 rescues took place Sunday alone.

"Obviously the conditions have been very rough today, a lot of wind (we) recommend that people pay attention to the tides the rip currents stay out of the water," Garcia said.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.