A Pennsylvania couple, Brian Warter (51) and Erica Wishart (48), tragically lost their lives while vacationing in Florida with their six children. On June 20, while swimming with their two teenagers off Hutchinson Island, they were caught in a powerful rip current that led to their demise. Despite their teenagers’ brave efforts to save them, Brian and Erica could not escape the dangerous waters.

The Martin County Sheriff’s Office reported the tragic incident, emphasizing the perilous water conditions that day. Emergency crews arrived quickly and performed rescue operations, but Brian and Erica were pronounced dead at the hospital. Cory Pippen of Martin County Fire Rescue stated that red flags, indicating hazardous water conditions, were prominently displayed on the beach that afternoon to warn swimmers about the strong rip currents.

Brian’s father, Larry Warter, shared that Brian and Erica had been in a relationship for over a year and were planning to get married. Both had children from previous relationships—Brian had two, and Erica had four. Their plan was to wait until all six children had completed college before tying the knot. Their trip to Stuart, Florida, was meant to be a special experience, as it was their first trip together with all six kids. According to Larry, the couple was excitedly preparing for the trip, which had been in the works for over a month.

Larry and Susie Warter, Brian’s parents, spoke fondly of the couple. “Their love was evident to anyone who spent time with them,” Larry said. Susie added that those who knew Brian and Erica had great expectations for their future. The loss of this loving couple has deeply impacted the Warter family and their local community, which has shown overwhelming support in the aftermath of the tragedy. Larry noted that the family initially felt alone in their grief but was quickly surrounded by offers of help from the community.

A GoFundMe page has been set up in memory of Brian and Erica, raising over $60,000 to support their children and honor their legacy. One of Erica’s friends, Wayne Sallurday, described her as a loving mother and a dedicated teacher of special needs students. Erica also volunteered extensively at her local church and had worked in an elementary school library. Sallurday’s words on the donation page highlighted Erica’s kindness and dedication to others, making her loss even more devastating for those who knew her.

The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by rip currents. The National Weather Service advises swimmers to avoid fighting rip currents, as it can lead to exhaustion. Instead, they recommend swimming parallel to the shore until out of the current, then swimming diagonally back toward safety. Additionally, they stress the importance of swimming with a companion and following the rule: “If in doubt, don’t go out.”

This heartbreaking loss emphasizes the importance of adhering to beach safety warnings and understanding how to respond to rip currents.