A Maine father of three died last week after saving his children from a powerful rip current while the family was vacationing in Florida.
Ryan Jennings was swimming at Juno Beach with his 12-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter when all three were suddenly pulled into dangerous waters. His wife, Emily, and their youngest child were on shore when the incident happened.
Their son managed to escape and alert his mother that his father and sister were still struggling in the ocean. In a final act of bravery, Ryan pushed his son toward safety and held his daughter above the water to keep her from drowning, according to Emily.
Lifeguards and emergency responders later pulled four swimmers from an unguarded area of the beach and rushed them to the hospital. Ryan was found unconscious and not breathing. Despite lifesaving efforts, he was later pronounced dead at Jupiter Medical Center.
Authorities said conditions were consistent with rip current activity, which causes around 100 deaths each year in the U.S.
Family members and officials remembered Ryan as a hero, with his wife saying he always put his children first. A GoFundMe page described him as a devoted father and husband, raising three children and expecting a fourth.
The fundraiser has since raised over $200,000 in support of the family.