HUTCHINSON ISLAND, Fla. (NEWSnet/AP) — A couple from Pennsylvania on vacation in Florida drowned after being caught in a rip current while swimming.

Brian Warter, 51, and Erica Wishard, 48, and two of their six children, were caught in the current on Hutchinson Island, off Florida’s southeast coast, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office said.

“The children were able to break the current and tried to help their parents, but it became too dangerous and they were forced to swim ashore,” researchers said.

Martin County Ocean Rescue attempted life-saving measures and then took the couple to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead, according to the sheriff’s office.

A crisis intervention agent is assisting the children, while other family members travel to meet them in Florida.

A rip current is a fast-moving column that flows from the coast to open water.

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