15-year-old disappears while swimming with friend, Florida crews say. Body now found

The body of a 15-year-old Georgia boy was recovered after he fell from a raft in rough surf, Florida officials told news outlets.

The teen was with a friend, also a teenager, and the friend’s mother at Fernandina Beach on Sept. 12 and swam about 100 feet offshore with an inflated float, Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue told WFGA.

As the surf got rougher, the three lost control of the raft and went into the water, officials told the outlet.

They were swept up by a rip current, officials told WJAX, and a witness called 911 to help get them out of the water.

The boyfriend and his mother were pulled from the water by lifeguards and taken to a hospital for observation, officials told WJXT, but the 15-year-old had disappeared from view.

Officials continued the search into the night, when operations were suspended, the outlet reported.

The search resumed the next morning, but was classified as a recovery mission, officials told WJXT.

Officials found the teen’s body on the afternoon of Sept. 14, they told WJAX.

Fernandina Beach Fire Rescue Chief Ty Silcox told WFGA that the beach has been flying red flags to warn swimmers about the strong surf and waves brought in by Hurricane Lee.

“We encourage people to stay out of the water, if you’re not a strong swimmer, it’s not good conditions for you to be in the water,” Silcox told the outlet.

Officials have not identified the teenager as of September 15.

What is a rip current?

Rip currents are “powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water” that occur along the U.S. coast and in the Great Lakes, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

About 100 people are killed by rip currents in the U.S. each year, NOAA reported. Lifeguards save thousands of people from rip currents every year.

Experts say people can take steps to stay safe from rip currents, including:

• Check the local water conditions before entering.

• Talk to a lifeguard on the beach about the conditions.

• Only swim on beaches where lifeguards are present.

• Don’t assume that great weather means good swimming conditions.

Fernandina Beach is located about 35 miles northeast of Jacksonville.