OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla.- What authorities are calling a "close call" unfolded over the holiday weekend when two snorkelers found themselves in a critical situation after being swept farther from shore by a strong current at Destin’s East Pass.
On July 4, the powerful current in the pass pulled the two snorkelers out into the open water. Exhausted, the pair became unable to swim back to shore, according to officials.
They were "running out of options" when two members of the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office Marine Unit were on the water and spotted the distressed snorkelers who were waving their arms for help.
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The deputies reached the pair, pulled them safely from the water and aboard the boat.
"Grab this. Grab this," you hear one deputy say as a rescue tube is lowered into the water.
Bodycamera footage captures the complete exhaustion of the pair, worn down by the powerful current as they lie on the deck to rest.
The two were then brought back to shore without injury.
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"Please remember the currents in the Pass can be extremely strong and carry even good swimmers out from shore," the Sheriff's Office stated in a Facebook post regarding the incident.
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