June 09--OKALOOSA ISLAND -- Two people were in critical condition Saturday night after they were rescued from the Gulf of Mexico behind the Sheraton Four Points hotel.
Okaloosa Island firefighters responded to a report of three swimmers in distress behind The Boardwalk about 6:40 p.m., said Fire Department Lt. Mike Simmons. The firefighters had just determined it was a false call when two people came to them reporting that a friend was drowning.
As firefighters arrived at the Sheraton, an unconscious woman was being dragged from the water, Simmons said. CPR was started and she eventually regained consciousness.
Other firefighters swam out for the man. He was found past the first sand bar, Simmons said. Firefighters dragged him to the beach and began CPR.
Both victims appeared to be in their mid-teens, Simmons said. They were taken by ambulance to Fort Walton Beach Medical Center and then flown to Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola.
The teens were identified as 16-year old Malo Paul of Niceville and 15-year old J'melia Richardson, address unknown, according to the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.
Firefighters from Fort Walton Beach and Destin and Okaloosa County EMS assisted.
Copyright 2013 - Northwest Florida Daily News, Fort Walton Beach
