Florida rip current drowning has left a family heartbroken after a U.S. Army veteran gave his life rescuing his son and niece off the coast of Fernandina Beach.
On April 24, 2025, 38-year-old Joshua Curtis tragically passed away after pulling the two children to safety from a powerful rip current at Main Beach in Fernandina Beach, Florida. His family described his final act as a “heroic effort” on a GoFundMe page launched to support them during this difficult time.
Florida Rip Current Drowning Leaves Family Grieving
According to the police report cited by the Fernandina Observer, authorities managed to rescue both children from the water. Moments later, they located Curtis, unresponsive, still in the surf. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
It remains unclear whether Curtis was already swimming with the children or if he entered the water when he saw they were in danger. Witnesses confirmed he was the reason the children survived.
Curtis, originally from Halifax, Massachusetts, was visiting his hometown in Florida when the incident occurred. He leaves behind his wife and six-year-old son, Owen.
Honoring a Hero After Florida Rip Current Drowning
Curtis was a decorated veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and received the Purple Heart for acts of bravery. His loved ones told CBS affiliate WBZ that he lived by the values of service and sacrifice.
In Massachusetts, Curtis was deeply involved in the community as a youth football coach for the Silver Lake Warriors. The team paid tribute to his character, saying: “His selfless actions were a reflection of the man he was—brave, loving, and devoted.”
They added that his son had just completed his first season of football, and Curtis was set to become head coach of the Mighty Mites this fall.
His family’s statement summed it up best: “It is with great pride and deep sorrow that we say goodbye to a man who exemplified what it means to be a soldier, a father, a husband—and ultimately, a hero.”
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Source: www.people.com
