31-year-old father of four dies rescuing two of his young children from rip current at Florida beach

With the official start of the summer a lot of people are eager to hit the beaches and have fun under the sun. However, experts issue warnings for beach-goers to be extra careful when going swimming in the ocean because of the unpredictable rip currents.

Sadly, an awful tragedy took place over the weekend when a father of four was pulled by a rip current while trying to save two of his children. The devastating incident took place in Huguenot Park in Jacksonville, Florida.

People who found themselves at the scene rushed inside the water and formed a human chain thus managed to save the kids, aged 4 and 9, but their dad, 31-year-old Larry Dupree, slipped under the water.

Rod Sullivan, a maritime expert, spoke to News4Jax about the tragedy and what led to it saying: “If you’re going in chest deep, you don’t have any chance against the rip current. You won’t win. If you’re out there with small children and they’ve been caught in the rip current, it’s hard. You could put yourself at great risk.”

What started as a rescue mission ended as a recovery operation. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department beach patrol discovered the lifeless body of Dupree on Monday morning.

Screenshot

This father made the ultimate sacrifice. He lost his life in an attempt to save those of his children.

Larry’s wife, Heather Dupree, took the time to thank the strangers who helped in saving her kids. “I want all of the people from the beach yesterday who helped me with my kids to know how truly thankful I am from the bottom of my heart for their love, kindness, [and] thoughtfulness,” she told First Coast News.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.

Rest in peace Larry Dupree. You died a hero.

Monica Pop
Monica Pop
Monica Pop is a senior writer for Bored Daddy magazine covering the latest trending and popular articles across the United States and around the world.

More from author

Related posts

Latest posts

South Carolina judge Diane Goodstein’s home catches fire — what we know so far

A fire broke out on October 4, 2025, at the Edisto Island home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein, destroying the property...

The Case That Stirred Wakefield: Loss, Accountability, and Lessons Learned

Beneath the Quiet Streets of Wakefield: The Tragedy Behind Liam Deane’s Story In a quiet corner of Wakefield, whispers stirred—questions about Liam Deane that no...

Air Disaster Strikes as Plane with Over 240 Onboard Goes Down

Global Shock as Passenger Jet with Over 244 Aboard Crashes Under Mysterious Circumstances. The world is reeling from breaking reports of a large-scale aviation...

Greta Thunberg’s brutal response to Donald Trump amid ‘anger management issues’ comment

President Donald Trump and Swedish activist Greta Thunberg come from very different perspectives. While Greta is best known as a climate change activist, Trump...

Pick your wing to reveal who your guardian angel is

Sometimes, you may feel the presence of an invisible guide that offers protection and remind you you are not alone. That comforting presence could...

Doctor issues warning about eating too much rice

Rice is a great source of gut-friendly fiber, complex carbohydrates, and B vitamins. The fiber in brown and wild rice supports digestive health by...