Drowning near Beach Access 51 on Thursday night

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Just after 6 p.m. Thursday, a man drowned near Beach Access 51. City officials said he became separated from a boogie board he was using.

Another man rushed in to help, but also needed to be rescued. That rescuer is OK; the other man was taken to a nearby hospital, where he later died.

Officials report this is the first drowning of 2026.

Officials remind the public to pay attention to the flag system: red flags indicate dangerous water conditions and should be taken seriously.

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