A sad event happened in Florida recently. Brian Warter, who was 51 years old, and Erica Wishart, who was 48, were on vacation there with their six children. They were swimming with two of their teenagers at Hutchinson Island on June 20th when something dangerous happened.
There was a strong current in the ocean, and Brian and Erica got caught in it. Even though their teenage children tried to save them, the current was too powerful. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office shared that the teenagers did everything they could to help their parents. Rescuers came quickly to try to save Brian and Erica, but despite efforts, they couldn’t be saved.
It’s a heartbreaking story of a family vacation turning into a tragedy.
Phillyburbs.com said the water was really dangerous that Tuesday afternoon. Martin County Fire Rescue representative Cory Pippen explained that red flags were up at the beach. These flags warn swimmers about strong rip currents in the water. Rip currents can be very dangerous because they pull swimmers away from the shore.
Larry Warter, who is Brian’s father, spoke to CBS 12 News. He shared that Brian and Erica had been together for more than a year and were going to get married. Erica had four children, and Brian had two. They wanted to wait until all their kids finished college before getting married. Their trip to Stuart, Florida, was a big deal for them.
“They were so excited about going down there,” Larry Warter said. “This was the first time. This was the experiment. They had all six of their kids together. They had been planning it for over a month.”
Brian Warter’s parents have shared how much they loved the couple. Larry Warter said, “You could tell just by being around them.” He talked about the strong love between Brian and Erica. Susie Warter, Brian’s mother, added that everyone who knew them loved them too, and everyone was excited about their future together.
The Warter family has been supported a lot by their community. Larry Warter said, “We’ve been amazed by all the help and support. We thought we were dealing with this alone, but we haven’t been.”
On a fundraising page, Wayne Sallurday wrote a beautiful tribute to Erica. He said, “Erica was an amazing person. She was a loving mother to two sons and two daughters, with her youngest son adopted when he was young.” The post also said Erica worked at an elementary school helping special needs children and later worked in the school library. She also spent a lot of time helping at her church. “We could keep talking about her, but you probably understand now. She was one of the nicest people you could ever meet.”
The GoFundMe page set up to remember them has raised over $60,000. This shows how generous the community has been in response to this sad event.
The National Weather Service has important advice on its website about rip currents. It explains that rip currents don’t pull swimmers underwater, but they can tire swimmers out quickly. It’s really important to stay calm.
The website says, “If you try to swim against a rip current, you’ll waste your energy. You need that energy to stay safe and get out of the rip current. Don’t try to swim straight to the shore. Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you’re out of the current’s pull. Once you’re free, swim towards the shore at an angle away from the current.”
The National Weather Service also suggests never swimming alone and following the rule, “If you’re not sure, don’t go in!”
This sad event reminds us how dangerous rip currents can be. It’s crucial to listen to safety advice when swimming.
Why Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Weren’t at 2024 Met Gala
The 2024 Met Gala is a wrap, but let’s be real, it was missing some major players this time around. Like, where was Blake Lively, the ultimate Met Gala royalty? She and Ryan Reynolds ghosted the event for the second year straight, and fans are totally bummed about it.
Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds ended up skipping their second Met Gala in a row. Instead of hitting the town for the “Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion” themed bash, Blake and Ryan opted for a cozy night in with their four kiddos. Family time over fancy parties—it’s hard to argue with that!
Lively sparked hope she could attend the Met Gala when she went to a Tiffany & Co. event in New York last week. Ultimately, she let that be her big fashion moment for early May.
Blake Lively has quite the Met Gala history, even poking fun at herself for perfectly coordinating with the carpet in previous years. Her last Met Gala appearance was in 2022, where she not only attended, but also co-chaired the event. Embracing the “Gilded Glamour” theme, she stunned in an Atelier Versace gown paired with her signature Lorraine Schwartz jewelry and a tiara.
What sets Lively apart is that she styles herself, even for major events like the Met Gala. She explained that she enjoys the creativity and control it offers.
Fans were eagerly anticipating Blake Lively’s return to the 2024 Met Gala, hoping for her signature style and charisma to grace the event once again. However, when she didn’t make an appearance, disappointment swept through social media. “Blake Lively, where are you?” one fan questioned, echoing the sentiments of many who were eagerly awaiting her presence.
Another fan expressed their disappointment, saying, “pretending to not care Blake Lively isn’t there to save the night #MetGala.” It’s clear that Lively’s absence left a noticeable void for many attendees and followers of the event, underscoring her significant impact and presence at the Met Gala over the years.
Check out Blake’s top Met Gala looks of all time!
Preview photo credit Invision/Invision/East News, Invision/Invision/East News, vancityreynolds / Instagram
Leave a Reply