Rip Currents Nearly Drown Seven

Five people are in the hospital today, after almost drowning in the Gulf off Pass-A-Grille Beach, according to an article from Tampabay.com.

Fifteen-year-old lifeguard Allison Howard was with her father today at Pass-A-Grille Beach, around 20th Avenue, when they heard yelling in the water. 

Both father and daughter spotted five people who were members of the same family in the water and rushed out to help them. They were sucked underwater by rip currents.

They were able to save three people, and two other passersby helped  bring in the other two members of the family.

Three of the five people were sent to Palms of Pasadena Hospital, one to All Children's Hospital and one to Bayfront Medical Center, according to Bay News 9.

Two other men were also sucked into the Gulf minutes before that. A bystander summoned ligeguards to rescue them when he saw struggling in the Gulf. The men were helped to shore and not treated.

The National Weather service had issued a beach hazards advisory Wednesday for high rip currents in Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, caused by Tropical Storm Debby.

An advisory warns of dangerous swimming conditions for anyone entering the surf.