Photo: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News / Getty Images
(Brevard County, FL) - After two people recently drowned in a dangerous rip current along an unguarded area of Cocoa Beach, Brevard County officials are urgently recruiting ocean rescuers.
Ocean Rescue's Chief says there's a critical shortage of lifeguards and Brevard County is working to fill 45 vacancies.
On Tuesday, Cocoa Beach Fire Department responded to a water rescue involving multiple people around 1 p.m. at 4th Street South with the nearest lifeguard tower nearly a mile away.
According to officials, a 34-year-old woman from Ohio and a 42-year-old man from Connecticut drowned after being pulled under trying to rescue a child from a rip current.
The child survived.
Officials warn beachgoers about the potential for deadly rip currents along the east coast of Florida through Friday evening.
They advise if you're not a strong swimmer don't go into the water, and if you do, make sure you are near a lifeguard stand. And if you are not and an emergency arises, call 911.
Brevard County Ocean Rescue Chief Eisen Witcher lists the five year-round active lifeguard stands in Brevard: "Cocoa Beach Pier, Shepard Park, Lori Wilson Park, Minutemen Causeway, and Paradise Beach."