A visiting swimmer died Tuesday after being pulled from the Gulf of Mexico in Gulf Shores, marking the second drowning in the beach town this season, according to city beach safety officials.
The drowning happened just after 5 p.m. near East Beach Boulevard, where Greg Teer was watching from his balcony at the Lighthouse Condominiums when he noticed rescue crews arriving in a hurry.
“I could see there was some chaos going on and we saw the first patrol car showing up,” Teer recalled. “And then we saw the jet ski and the swimmer trying to find someone, so I knew that there was somebody that was in trouble in the water.”
Lifeguards responded after receiving reports of three swimmers in distress. Beach safety officers said that by the time crews arrived, two of the swimmers had made it to the beach, but a third person was missing.
“Bystanders said there was somebody in the water still, so some lifeguards started assessing the patient on the beach while others went in,” said Joethan Phillips, Beach Safety Chief for the City of Gulf Shores. “Shortly after, the jet ski came in, around two minutes, and they located the other individual in around waist-deep water, brought them in and provided resuscitation.”
The man, described only as 52 years old, was taken to a hospital but did not survive. Yellow caution flags were flying at the time, and officials say the surf picked up later in the day as storms moved through the area.
“It was yellow flags. We had those storms come on and off in the morning,” Phillips said. “Conditions are like they were today and right after that they started to pick up as storms came through. There was a moderate risk of rip currents in effect yesterday, so I think that is what happened.”
News of the drowning spread quickly among beachgoers the following day, prompting many visitors to be more cautious as red flags — signaling a high risk of dangerous rip currents — flew up and down the coast.
“Oh, I might get my feet in, but I’m not going to get in it. I’m looking for seashells today,” said visitor Terri Janes.
“I’m not going to go way out there like I did a couple days ago, but just up to my knees. Something like that. Just let the water touch me a little bit,” added Richard Dunn, another beachgoer.
Rip currents remain one of the leading causes of drowning deaths along Alabama’s Gulf Coast beaches, particularly after storms pass through and stir up rough surf. Beach safety officials continue to urge visitors to check flag warnings before entering the water and to swim near a lifeguard station whenever possible. Residents and tourists can also sign up for free text alerts on beach conditions through the Beach Safe app by texting “AL BEACHES” to 888777.