On Monday morning, the search for a missing 20-year-old swimmer in St. Johns County concluded with the discovery of his body. He was found at Mickler’s Landing, just a day after disappearing in the rough waves along the coastline over the weekend, as reported by Action News Jax.
The shared concern became clear on Sunday when beachgoers, hearing about the missing swimmer. "All of a sudden, there’s just this overwhelming feeling that came over me to try and do something in prayer and so my heart just started breaking for these people and because I mean, if it was my child, I would want somebody to do that," Antonella and Robert Parker told News4Jax in an interview.
Before the incident, the Jacksonville Beach Ocean Rescue Division had strongly urged residents to stay away from the water, warning of dangerous conditions that ultimately led to loss of life and several hospitalizations. At least four people were rescued and needed medical attention, with two in critical condition, showing the dangers posed by the coastal storm that weekend.
In the aftermath, local authorities have started to seriously reconsider how to better inform the public of aquatic dangers. "We are looking at doing a change to that policy in the near future," a St. Johns County official suggested that better signage is needed near the waters, which often shift from a playground to a dangerous trap. According to First Coast News, this sentiment is shared by visitors like Francisco, who are eager for any indication of "Something that could indicate a little bit of extra safety just because you never know what could happen" to protect the unsuspecting and unprepared from the unpredictable changes of the tide.
Flags and alerts were shared on social media by St. Johns County authorities over the weekend to prevent potential tragedies by warning about the dangers of the sea. However, as Francisco and others note, visual warnings placed on the sand may provide a more immediate caution for those about to enter the surf's tempting but sometimes dangerous waters.