A visit to Anna Maria Island ended in tragedy for an English couple.
A 75-year-old man was found around 10 a.m. May 18 drowned in the Gulf of Mexico waters near 77th Street in Holmes Beach, according to West Manatee Fire Rescue fire marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski.
The man was visiting AMI with his wife, who was on shore during the incident and was not physically harmed, according to WMFR.
The incident was the only one that resulted in a fatality of three near-drowning events May 18.
The events correspond with a red flag warning, which indicated high surf and/or rip current activity, posted along island beaches that day.
The National Weather Service issued a rip current statement May 18 that lasted 7:41 a.m.-8 p.m.
“WMFR cautions even the strongest of swimmers from entering the waters during red flag hazard conditions,” Kwiatkowski said.