FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A 13-year-old boy who disappeared while swimming in the ocean off Fort Lauderdale Beach on Friday has been identified, and police have determined his death was the result of an accidental drowning.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department confirmed Monday that Jerry Hyppolite, of Palm Beach County, had been visiting from Lake Worth with the Team Jordan Basketball Club when he went into the water with a group of teammates near Seabreeze Boulevard.
According to a teammate’s parent, conditions quickly turned “rough,” prompting lifeguards to jump in and intervene.
Emergency crews from Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, FLPD, and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue said they searched for Hyppolite for nearly two hours.
FLFR spokesperson Frank Ortiz said the search was called off after no signs of the swimmer were found. His body was later recovered.
Jerry was initially reported to be 12 years old, but authorities later clarified that he was 13.
The incident occurred during a weekend when the Local 10 News Weather Authority warned beachgoers about a high rip current risk along South Florida’s coastline.
The advisory remained in effect through Sunday evening.
“We had numerous rescues over the weekend,” said Gio Serrano, an Ocean Rescue lieutenant, adding that lifeguards were working under challenging conditions as rip currents increased. “We’ve been flying red and purple flags, red for a high level of rip currents.”
The weekend was one of back-to-back busy days for Fort Lauderdale’s lifeguard team, with a total of 33 water rescues made.
Some beach areas were temporarily shut down due to the dangerous conditions.
To ensure the safety of swimmers, lifeguards placed flags in the sand, signaling to visitors which areas were unsafe to swim in.
Despite the closures, many beachgoers opted to stay safely near the shore, avoiding the risky waters.
“I feel safer hanging here at the shore,” said Nicki Turman, who was visiting from Atlanta.
In Miami, lifeguards also faced a busy weekend, responding to 45 water rescues, authorities confirmed.
As summer approaches, ocean rescue teams are urging beachgoers to remain vigilant.
“We always recommend going to a beach with lifeguards,” Serrano advised. “Ask the lifeguards; they’ll tell you exactly where the rip currents are. Stay calm and do not try to fight the rip currents.”
With warm weather and thousands expected to flock to the beaches this summer, both Fort Lauderdale and Miami Ocean Rescue teams continue to prioritize safety in their response efforts.
If you get caught in a rip current, swim parallel to the shore until you are out of it and can swim safely back to land.
