Couple drown in front of their six kids after getting caught in rip

A family’s holiday has turned into tragedy after the parents drowned in front of their six kids, with their children unable to do anything but watch in horror.

One family’s holiday has turned into tragedy after the parents drowned in front of their six kids who were unable to do anything but watch in horror.

On Thursday local time, a US couple got caught in a rip and drowned.

The family of eight, from Pennsylvania, was visiting Stuart Beach on Hutchinson Island – a barrier island located on Florida’s southeastern coast.

The parents and two of their teenage children were swept out by a rip current while swimming, according to the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

While the two teens were able to escape the current, their parents, identified as Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, were not able to.

In fact, it was the couple’s children who had to call emergency services as they watched their parents struggle in the water and fail to come ashore.

The horror unfolded on Thursday.

“The kids were able to break the current and attempted to help their parents, but it became too dangerous and they were forced to swim ashore,” the Martin County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook.

Mr Warter and Ms Wishard were located by Martin County Ocean Rescue lifeguards, who began CPR on shore before the couple was transported to Cleveland Clinic North by Martin County Fire Rescue paramedics.

“Those lifesaving efforts continued in the ambulance and at the hospital where doctors gave it every last effort before declaring the couple deceased,” the MCSO said.

The sheriff’s office said its Crisis Intervention Team was assisting the couple’s now orphaned six children until other family members arrived in Florida.

Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, have tragically drowned.

Earlier in the day on Thursday, Martin County Fire Rescue posted on Facebook that red flags were flying at Jensen Beach, Stuart Beach and the Hobe Sound.

A rough surf and rip current warning was also posted.

“Happy Thursday! The surf is 4-6 ft (1.2 -1.8m) and there is a light drift heading north, so be aware if you chose (sic) to go in the ocean,” the post read. “The water temp is 77 degrees (25C) and there’s a (sic) ESE wind blowing about 15-20 mph (32km/hr). We suggest strong swimmers only because rip currents are expected. If you plan on heading to the beach, please visit one of our guarded beaches.”

The post was made at 11:31am and a 911 call reporting missing swimmers came in at around 1:30pm, according to the fire service.

“These signs are posted at every single beach guarded and unguarded. Please, if you’re visiting go to guarded beach first. Read these signs. If you’re not sure have a lifeguard show you what to look for when spotting rip currents,” the post reads.

This sign was up at the beach. Picture: Hutchinson Island Florida/Facebook

Hutchinson Island’s informational travel page on Facebook posted about the tragedy late Thursday and shared the following tips on how to avoid and escape rip currents:

1. If the flag at the beach is red, do not go in the water.

2. Watch the water before jumping in, even on green flag days.

3. Don’t enter the water where waves aren’t breaking.

4. Always watch the water as rip currents shift.

5. If you get caught in a rip current, do not panic and try to fight it. Float, wave for help and/or swim parallel to the shore.

This article originally appeared in Fox News and was reproduced and rewritten with permission.