The Walton County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) today received a 911 call at approximately 9:45 a.m. referencing a possible drowning at Grayton Beach State Park. Deputies arrived at approximately 9:49 a.m. and immediately began administering CPR.
The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) arrived minutes later and declared Kevin J. Kleiner, 41, of Auburn, Ala. as deceased. According to witnesses, beachgoers pulled the unconscious man from the Gulf of Mexico and began administering CPR.
Deputy Nick McMillian and Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff McVay continued administering CPR for several minutes until the SWFD paramedics determined that Kleiner could not be revived. Yellow flags were flying at the time of the incident.
The District One Medical Examiners Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Citizens and visitors are encouraged to monitor the beach flag warning system. The beach flags provide general warnings about overall surf conditions and do not specifically advise the public of the presence of rip currents. However, increasing awareness of natural conditions which pose a significant risk at the beach, such as rip currents, is a critical element to improve public safety. Florida's beach warning flag program uses flags in four colors accompanied by interpretive signs along the beach to explain the meaning of each color.
GREEN: LOW HAZARD - Calm Condition, Exercise Caution
YELLOW: MEDIUM HAZARD - Moderate Surf and/or Moderate Currents
RED: HIGH HAZARD - High Surf and/or Strong Currents
DOUBLE RED: WATER CLOSED TO PUBLIC
PURPLE: Marine Pests Present
The South Walton Fire District (SWFD) arrived minutes later and declared Kevin J. Kleiner, 41, of Auburn, Ala. as deceased. According to witnesses, beachgoers pulled the unconscious man from the Gulf of Mexico and began administering CPR.
Deputy Nick McMillian and Emergency Management Coordinator Jeff McVay continued administering CPR for several minutes until the SWFD paramedics determined that Kleiner could not be revived. Yellow flags were flying at the time of the incident.
The District One Medical Examiners Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Citizens and visitors are encouraged to monitor the beach flag warning system. The beach flags provide general warnings about overall surf conditions and do not specifically advise the public of the presence of rip currents. However, increasing awareness of natural conditions which pose a significant risk at the beach, such as rip currents, is a critical element to improve public safety. Florida's beach warning flag program uses flags in four colors accompanied by interpretive signs along the beach to explain the meaning of each color.
GREEN: LOW HAZARD - Calm Condition, Exercise Caution
YELLOW: MEDIUM HAZARD - Moderate Surf and/or Moderate Currents
RED: HIGH HAZARD - High Surf and/or Strong Currents
DOUBLE RED: WATER CLOSED TO PUBLIC
PURPLE: Marine Pests Present