Editorial Standards

Latest News Today maintains rigorous editorial standards. Our team verifies information from trusted sources and provides context to help readers understand complex stories.

Last Updated: Thursday, October 1, 2026 at 06:00 PM
Category: Id

Editor's Note

Latest News Today provides comprehensive coverage and analysis of breaking news stories. This article is part of our ongoing coverage of wbna9490078, bringing you verified information from trusted sources with added context and expert perspective.

Why This Matters: Understanding the full context of this story helps readers make informed decisions and stay updated on developments that impact our community.

Two swimmers die in deadly surf caused by Rita

Two swimmers died and more than a dozen others had to be rescued from rough surf kicked up by the remnants of Hurricane Rita along the Florida Panhandle, officials said.

Two swimmers died and more than a dozen others had to be rescued from rough surf kicked up by the remnants of Hurricane Rita along the Florida Panhandle, officials said.

On Saturday at Miramar Beach, where the water had been closed to swimmers, Walton County Sheriff’s deputies pulled a Kentucky man from the surf. Ronald J. Hallquist, 52, of Walton, Ky., was pronounced dead at the scene.

Authorities did not identify a second man who died Sunday at Pensacola Beach. Witnesses saw the man walk out of the surf and collapse as he turned back toward the water, said Sgt. Robert Johnson of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s been bad all week. We’ve been telling people to stay out of the surf. You can’t even wade in it,” said Bob West, public safety manager for Santa Rosa Island Authority.


Surfers came to the aid of three lifeguards rescuing several swimmers east of the pier at Casino Beach on Sunday, officials said. The swimmers had all been caught by a rip current.