Maine Dad Drowns While Saving His Children from Florida Rip Tides

A Maine man lost his life while on vacation in Florida when his children got caught in a riptide.

Maine Family's Florida Vacation Ends Tragically

Ryan Jennings of Yarmouth was relaxing with his family in Juno Beach, Florida, when tragedy struck.

The 46-year-old and his wife had learned, just before going on vacation, that they're expecting another child.

Ryan Jennings and his wife, Emily, have three children, including a son from Emily's former relationship, and their two daughters.

According to the Portland Press Herald, the couple learned just before they went on vacation that their family was about to grow again. Emily is expecting another child.

Last week, the family was swimming in the ocean when a riptide formed and started pulling Ryan, his 12-year-old son, and 9-year-old daughter, out to sea.

Maine Father Heroically Saves 2 Children From a Riptide Before Drowning

Ryan didn't hesistate, grabbing his son and throwing him toward the shore, and out of the current.

He then hoisted his daughter above his head and held her above the level of the water as they were pulled away from the shore.

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Jennings died in the effort, but he saved both his children, who survived the incident.

Maine Man Dies While Saving His Children from a Rip Current

Now, a family friend has set up a Go Fund Me page, to help Emily as she learns to navigate life without Ryan.

Our sincerest condolences to the Jennings family on their loss.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says rip currents are powerful, channeled currents of water flowing away from the shore that can occur at any beach with breaking waves.