Brave Dad, 46, Loses Life While Saving Children from Riptide on Florida Family Vacation

A HEROIC father-of-three has tragically died after he rescued his children from a strong ocean rip while on vacation.

Ryan Jennings, 46, from Cumberland County, had been visiting his parents and holidaying in South Florida with his wife and their three children when disaster struck.

Ryan Jennings, 46, tragically drowned while saving two of his children from a rip current in FloridaCredit: GoFundMe Ryan rushed into the waves to save his struggling children before getting stuck in the water himselfCredit: GoFundMe

During a day trip to Juno Beach in Palm Beach County, Ryan’s 12-year-old stepson and 9-year-old daughter were struggling in the water.

Spotting the kids in strife, Ryan snapped into action and raced into the water to save them.

In a harrowing tribute posted to Facebook, Ryan’s grieving wife Emily outlined the heartbreaking ordeal.

“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.”

She called her husband her “soulmate and 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,” she said.

“I can’t believe this is where I am at. Our love is one that most people never find.”

The family had been swimming in a non-patrolled area on Wednesday afternoon, according to the Bangor Daily News.

Emergency services rushed into the rough waves and rescued the child, but were sadly unable to save their father.

Ryan’s cause of death has officially been ruled as drowning.

Authorities noted the water conditions had the potential to develop into 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 has since been described as a “loving father” by family friend Geraldine Ollila.

“Ryan was not only Emily’s soulmate, but also a loving father and friend to many,” she said.

“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.”

Adding to the already heartbreaking tragedy, Emily revealed the couple had found out they were pregnant with their fourth child.

“On another entirely vulnerable note, Ryan and I just recently found out we are expecting our 4th child,” she said.

“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.

An online fundraiser has been launched to help support Ryan’s family through their time of grief.

At the time of writing it had raised $139,474.

Ryan’s wife Emily revealed the pair had just found out they were expecting their fourth childCredit: GoFundMe