Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: Drowning victim Douglas Lewis of Westfield, Indiana, shown above, along with a screenshot of the Daytona Beach shoreline. BELOW: Tammy Marris, director of the Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue, on the circumstances that led to the drowning last weekend. GoFundMe for the funeral/burial of the drowning victim.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- A 51-year-old Indiana tourist who drowned eight days ago was caught in a rip current in the Atlantic waters off Daytona Beach, and has been identified as Douglas Jay Lewis of Westfield, Ind., beach safety officials said.
"We received a 911 call for a male struggling in the water," Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Director Tammy Malphurs said in response to a public records request on the identity of the drowning victim and a brief synopsis of the circumstances that led to his death.
"Beach Safety Lifeguards rescued the male from the water and began lifesaving efforts," Malphurs said in an e-mail response to Headline Surfer. "He was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital."
"We received a 911 call for a male struggling in the water," Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Director Tammy Malphurs said in response to a public records request on the identity of the drowning victim and a brief synopsis of the circumstances that led to his death.
"Beach Safety Lifeguards rescued the male from the water and began lifesaving efforts," Malphurs said in an e-mail response to Headline Surfer. "He was pronounced deceased shortly after arriving at the hospital."
The man drowned a week ago Saturday after swimming while hazardous rip current conditions were present, Malphurs said. Thirteen people were rescued from the rough waters that weekend, she said, adding the drowning came as Tropical Storm Imelda continued to bring dangerous impacts to Florida's Atlantic coast, including multiple rounds of high waves, heavy rainfall, and strong wind gusts. Imelda fueled dangerous surf and rip currents.
The drowning incident took place just after 5 p.m. that Saturday in an unguarded area of the beach near 1515 S. Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach, which is why beachgoers are always encouraged to swim near manned lifeguard towers.
Rescue officials responded to the incident, but despite lifesaving efforts, the Indiana man did not survive. At the time of the incident, red flags were being flown due to the hazardous rip current conditions present.
Red flags were flown throughout the week, as forecasts called for very strong and dangerous rip currents along the Florida coastline due to the remnants of Imelda offshore. The red flags continue to fly on this Sunday morning.
"We cannot stress enough the importance of swimming near lifeguards, especially during hazardous conditions," Volusia County Beach Safety Ocean Rescue Director Tammy Malphurs said. "Rip currents are powerful and can develop quickly, putting even strong swimmers at risk."
Multimedia video: Volusia County rip current safety tips
YouTube download for Headline Surfer / Volusia County Beach Safety video / An explainer on rip currents and how to escape them, with the mantra to always swim in front of a manned lifeguard tower.
GoFundMe organized by the family & friends of drowning victim Doug Lewis
A GoFundMe campaign has been established by the family and friends of Douglas Jay Lewis of Westfield, Ind., who drowned as a result of getting caught in a rip current in the Daytona Beach surf eight day ago.
So far $10,675 raised from 125-plus donations. The goal is $12,000 to help defer the cost of burial. Here is the link to help: https://www.gofundme.com/f/wcz9f-support-the-family-of-doug-lewis.
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