In Galveston, last week, a man lost his life after being caught in a rip current. FOX 26 Reporter, Jade Flury, recently spoke with his family about the tragedy.
A family is sharing their tragic experience in hopes of raising awareness about the dangers of rip currents. During a visit to Galveston, 26-year-old Joshua Acevedo was pulled away from shore by a strong rip current and tragically drowned. The family is urging beachgoers to exercise caution and be aware of the potential risks when entering the water.
As summer draws near and more individuals flock to the beach, Joshua Acevedo’s family is spreading awareness about the perils of rip currents by sharing his story. Their intention is to prevent any further instances of drowning from occurring.
Jelisa Hughes, Joshua’s cousin, expressed her regrets saying, “If we had known this was going to happen, we wouldn’t have gone.”
As summer approaches in Galveston, residents are gearing up for the possibility of dangerous rip currents. FOX 26 reporter Anthony Antoine has provided some helpful tips on what to do if you find yourself caught in one.
Juan Avecedo, the father of Joshua, expressed his surprise at the strength of the current that caught them off-guard. “I wasn’t anticipating it to be that strong, and it wasn’t until the lifeguard blew his whistle that I realized we were being pulled away,” he recounted.
While enjoying a day at the beach, Joshua’s family was hit by a dangerous rip current that pulled them away from the shore. Luckily, the lifeguards were quick to respond and came to their rescue, pulling them out of the water and ensuring their safety. Joshua’s father recounted the terrifying experience, highlighting the crucial role that lifeguards play in keeping beachgoers safe.
According to Avecedo, she was the final person to exit the scene while Joshua was the third. She witnessed the medical team performing CPR on him.
Joshua passed away at the hospital despite the CPR efforts. His family wishes to honor his memory as a diligent individual who had a keen interest in the Dallas Mavericks, music, and shoe collecting.
Hughes expressed that the incident has brought them closer as a group and made them realize that tomorrow is never guaranteed. Reflecting on the loss, Hughes shared that there are many things they will miss about the departed individual, and it still feels surreal. However, he emphasized that what they will miss the most is the person’s presence.
Joshua’s family is hopeful that his story can create awareness about rip currents and help avoid such tragedies in the future.
Acevedo recommends checking the current before heading to the beach, which is something that many people overlook. “If you’re going to the beach, find out what the current is going to be. That’s one of the things that I never thought about doing,” advised Acevedo.
The family of Joshua expressed their gratitude towards the lifeguards for their prompt action and the beachgoers who offered their prayers while their beloved was undergoing CPR.