Heroic Maine father dies saving his children from rip current during Florida family vacation
A heroic father from Maine was killed while he rescued two of his children who were caught in a strong rip current during a family trip to Florida.
Ryan Jennings, 46, from Cumberland County, was visiting his parents in South Florida with his wife and their three children when the tragedy occurred.
The family had traveled to Palm Beach County’s Juno Beach on Wednesday afternoon when Jennings noticed his 12-year-old stepson and 9-year-old daughter struggling in the water and raced to save them, his grieving wife, Emily, wrote in a heartbreaking tribute to Facebook.
Ryan Jennings was killed as he rescued his two older children from dangerous waters during a family vacation in South Florida on April 1, 2026.GoFundMe
“Ryan lost his battle yesterday, saving our children from a rip current,” she wrote. “He threw Jax to safety to get help and held up my Charlie above water until someone could get to them. His last gift to me was returning my children alive. Our hero, like always.”
“My soulmate and my best friend – I never want to be away from you. I always hoped I would leave before you so I never had to spend a day without you. I can’t believe this is where I am at. Our love is one that most people never find,” she added.
The incident happened at around 3:25 p.m. as the family was swimming in an area not overlooked by lifeguards, the Bangor Daily News reported, citing Palm Beach County Fire Rescue.
First responders rushed to the treacherous waters, securing the children, but were unable to save their father.
Jennings’ death is being ruled a drowning.
Officials noted that the water conditions had the potential to develop rip currents.
“This incident underscores the importance of swimming at guarded beaches, where trained lifeguards can identify hazardous conditions, including rough surf and rip current formation, helping to reduce the risk of incidents before they happen,” the Palm Beach County Fire Rescue told WMTW.
Ryan Jennings was remembered by his wife in a heartbreaking tribute after his death.GoFundMe
Ryan and Emily Jennings had learned they were pregnant with their fourth child just before the drowning.GoFundMe
Family friend Geraldine Ollila remembered Jennings as a “loving father” to his children.
“Ryan was not only Emily’s soul mate, but also a loving father and friend to many. His heroic actions are a testament to the kind of person he was, and his loss leaves a tremendous void in the lives of everyone who knew him,” Ollila wrote in GoFundMe crowdfunding page.
—————–
Emily revealed that the couple had learned she was pregnant with the couple’s fourth child before the tragedy.
“On another entirely vulnerable note, Ryan and I just recently found out we are expecting our 4th child. There is such sadness and such enormous light at the possibility of bringing another little Rye life into this world,” she said.
“Right now I’m not really sure how to go on ever again. I guess second by second. Trying to support our beautiful children, while missing you with my entire being,” Emily added.
News
FORENSIC UPDATE: Crime scene analysts reportedly found 3 separate blood transfer marks on the passenger seat of Jacob Lambert’s car — but only one drop of DNA recovered from the steering wheel is now being examined more closely
Forensic investigators in the Will County triple homicide case have released additional details about evidence recovered from the vehicle where Jacob Lambert, 32, was found shot to death. According to sources familiar with the ongoing analysis, crime scene technicians identified…
JUST IN: Detectives found 1 unopened message on Jacob Lambert’s phone sent by Jenna Strouble just minutes before their meeting — the phone was later recovered 7 feet from the driver’s seat, something investigators say could reveal what happened during their final moments
New forensic and digital evidence is shedding additional light on the chaotic final moments in the triple homicide case involving Jenna Strouble, 30, of St. John, Indiana, and the deaths of 32-year-old Jacob Lambert and his parents, 54-year-old Stacy Forde…
UPDATE: Detectives recovered 3 separate fingerprints on the Glock 19 found in the vehicle where Jacob Lambert was last seen with Jenna Strouble — but one print reportedly doesn’t match either of them, raising new questions about their final meeting
Investigators in the Will County triple homicide case have uncovered a new forensic detail that could complicate the narrative surrounding the deaths of 32-year-old Jacob Lambert and his parents, 54-year-old Stacy Forde and 55-year-old Patrick Forde. According to sources familiar…
BREAKING: Jenna Strouble reportedly texted Jacob Lambert late that evening saying she just wanted to talk. Friends say their relationship had been tense for weeks… but investigators now believe that meeting may have been the last conversation Jacob ever had
BREAKING: Jenna Strouble reportedly texted Jacob Lambert late that evening saying she “just wanted to talk.” Friends say their relationship had been tense for weeks… but investigators now believe that meeting may have been the last conversation Jacob ever had….
UPDATE: A text from Jacob Lambert to a friend hours before the alleged crime reads: “I don’t trust her tonight.” Police say this may hint at tension between the two — but how it escalated to a tragic outcome is still being reconstructed
New details continue to emerge in the shocking triple homicide case that has gripped the Chicago suburbs. On March 22–23, 2026, 30-year-old Jenna Strouble of St. John, Indiana, allegedly carried out a calculated attack that left her on-again, off-again partner,…
BREAKING: Sources say Jenna allegedly invited Jacob Lambert over under the pretense of resolving issues, but CCTV reportedly shows them leaving the house together shortly after. What happened next inside the car and at his parents’ house is still under investigation
BREAKING: Sources say Jenna allegedly invited Jacob over under the pretense of resolving issues, but CCTV reportedly shows them leaving the house together shortly after. What happened next inside the car and at his parents’ house is still under investigation….
End of content
No more pages to load
