The Bay County, Fla. Sheriff’s Office identified the three Birmingham men who drowned in Panama City Beach, Fla. Friday night.
According to Sheriff Tommy Ford, Jemonda Ray, 24, Marius Richardson, 24 and Harold Hunter, 25, were caught in a rip current.
Witnesses said the three arrived in Panama City Beach, Fla. from Birmingham Friday night and went straight to the water. Around 8 p.m., first responders received a call about distressed swimmers near Watercress Condominiums.
After over two hours of searching, all three men were pulled from the water and taken to local hospitals, where they were pronounced dead.
Ford thanked the multiple agencies, including the U.S. Coast Guard and the Bay County Sheriff’s Air Unit, that assisted in the tense search. He said he is praying for the families of the young men and for the first responders who may be dealing with the emotional toll from the situation.
SEE ORIGINAL STORY: Three Alabama men die following desperate search in Gulf of Mexico
A GoFundMe account has been set up to finance Jemonda Ray's funeral.
"Jemonda was a brother, a son, a father, an uncle, and also a friend," Jayla Ray, his sister, wrote. "He will be missed dearly. We are grateful for any and all blessings. Thank you."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email erica.thomas@1819news.com.
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