The deadliest beach in the US has claimed seven victims in under two weeks as people of all ages drown in treacherous riptides and police accuse swimmers of IGNORING the warnings.
On Tuesday, former NFL quarterback Ryan Mallett died aged 35 after drowning in a rip tide 50 miles west of Panama City, in Destin, Florida - after three people drowned in a matter of hours along the Florida city's beaches.
Mallett, who played for the New England Patriots during a seven-year NFL career, was taken from a beach to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead..
According to authorities, Panama City in Florida saw three "fatal water incidents" on Saturday along the coast of Bay County.
A total of seven people have died at the deadly beach in the last nine days after another person died on Thursday in similar conditions at nearby Blue Mountain Beach.
A victim died on Saturday at Miramar Beach, the second on that beach this year, according to local reports - it is unclear if the tourists drowned, or had a medical emergency in the water.
The three victims who died within hours of each other on Saturday have been identified. They are as Kimberly Moore, 39, of Lithonia, Georgia, Morytt Burden, 63, of Lithia Springs, Georgia, and Donald Wixon, 68, of Canton, Michigan.
It was previously reported that two dads also died on Father's Day, June 18, while at least 11 people have been killed by rip currents across the whole Gulf Coast of the US.
"The conditions at the time were severe, with double red flags indicating extreme water hazards," authorities said.
"The Panama City Beach Police Department and Beach Safety implore the public to always heed the double red flag warnings and always be aware of the dangers that can accompany these conditions."
It is thought the victims died due to rip currents creating hazardous swimming conditions.
They said rip currents can be dangerous as fast-moving water can move even the strongest swimmers away from shore.
They normally form at breaks in sandbars and near structurers including piers leading to devastating consequences.
Sheriff of Bay County Tommy Ford's district includes the popular Florida resort town of Panama City.
He has declared he is "beyond frustrated" and claimed beachgoers are ignoring warnings about deadly rip currents - often incorrectly, but more commonly, referred to as 'riptides'.
He said the deaths were "tragic and unnecessary".
Sheriff Ford claimed swimmers were also putting rescuers' lives at risk by ignoring the rip current warnings,.
He wrote on Facebook on Monday: "I'm beyond frustrated at the situation that we have with tragic and unnecessary deaths in the Gulf,' wrote Ford on Facebook on Monday.
"I have watched while deputies, firefighters and lifeguards have risked their lives to save strangers. I have seen strangers die trying to save their children and loved ones, including two fathers on fathers day."
Sheriff Ford's staff who have been warning people of the dangers and issuing fines have been abused and sworn at.
He added: "These same heroes, who have risked it all to save others, have been cursed and given the finger, while trying to warn visitors of the life-threatening dangers.
"We have used the tools provided by the county commission to fine violators $500 for entering the water on double red flags. We don't have the resources or time to cite every single person that enters the water but we do our absolute best to use it as a deterrent to entering the water. An arrest is only authorized upon a second offense unless the individual resists law enforcement.
"We have been diligently working with the TDC, Commissioners and other partners to continually improve our response capabilities and messaging to make sure everyone knows the flag conditions. Yet, people are still dying.
"Government and law enforcement can only do so much in these situations. Personal responsibility is the only way to ensure that no one else dies. Please make the effort to know the flag status and stay completely out of the water.
"I'm so proud of the men and women at the sheriffs office and partner agencies that are giving their absolute best to save lives. Please be responsible and don't put your life or theirs in danger."
Sheriff Ford shared aerial photos showing the power of the rip currents as sand is pulled in straight lines in deep trenches away from the shoreline.
He added: "Aftermath of a deadly weekend. You say you are a 'good" swimmer, an experienced swimmer, a competitive swimmer'. But you are no match for a rip current.
"These are pictures of the trenches dredged in the sand under the water as a result of the powerful rip currents this past weekend. These are so deep they are easily seen from above. There are quite a few of them. The pictures were taken yesterday from one of our helicopters."
Rip current deaths, which also include deaths from high surf and sneaker waves, have increased nationwide to a high of 133 in 2021, the National Weather Service said.
In order to escape a rip current, it is important to swim parallel to the shire, and it is ill-advised to try and swim against the rip current, officials said.
Recent data tracked by the National Weather Service revealed Panama City has the highest number of beach fatalities in 2023.
There were 69 deaths reported last year, and there have already been 60 surf fatalities across the US this year.
Officials said there have been 70 reports of distressed swimmers over the last ten days - with 40 of them coming on Saturday alone.
The three tourists who fatally died on Saturday in Panama City Beach were caught up in rip currents, authorities have revealed.
In two of the deaths, double red flags were signposted at the beach which showed the gulf was closed to swimmers.
Swimmers who ignore the sign face a $500 fine when the beach is closed.
