80 Beachgoers Form A Human Chain To Rescue A Family Caught In A Rip Current

July 12, 2017

A family is thankful to be alive after an estimated 80 people formed a human chain to save them from the grips of a rip current in Panama City Beach on Saturday.

human chain rescue beach panama city

Photos were snapped of the massive chain stretching into the water to reach 9 family members gasping for their lives.

"I honestly thought I was going to lose my family that day," Roberta Ursrey, who ran into the rough water to save her children, told the paper. "It was like, 'Oh God, this is how I'm going.'"

human chain rescue beach panama city
Credit: Rosalind Beckton

Ursrey, her husband, mother, nephews and children were enjoying a day at the beach when she said she heard her two sons screaming for help.

Ursrey rushed into the water to try and save them. One by one, family members followed after her and they too were overtaken by the water.

Jessica Simmons, who credited herself as a strong swimmer, went in after the family and instructed others to connect with her in a chain.

human chain rescue beach panama city
Credit: Rosalind Beckton

Approximately 80 people ventured into the water to successfully bring each struggling swimmer to safety.

"It was the most remarkable thing to see," Simmons told the Herald. "These people who don't even know each other and they trust each other that much to get them to safety."


Click Here For The Most Popular On Sunny Skyz

feel good videoCouple Rescues Prairie Dog From Their Dog's Mouth, Then Decides To Adopt It

feel good storiesHungry Elephant Casually Walks Into Grocery Store For Snacks In Thailand

feel good storiesWild Orcas Keep Giving Humans Gifts, Leaving Experts Puzzled

feel good storiesMy Girlfriend Gifted Me My Father’s Handwriting To Keep Forever

feel good storiesWe Can’t Stop Looking At These Adorable Baby Loon Photos Taken On A Lake

feel good storiesThis Couple Built A Grass Patch For Their Cat, And She’s Obsessed With It

feel good videoBaby Elephant’s Trunk Steals The Show In Adorable Treat Time Video

feel good video'Am I Allowed To Be This Happy?' The Moment A Nervous Foster Dog Finally Lies In A Dog Bed

feel good videoGrandma Thinks She's 60. Her Reaction To Learning She's 90 Is Priceless

feel good videoWhat Happens When A Man With A Hose Meets A Group of Kids? Pure Magic

feel good videoChicken Or Pigeon? The Internet Can’t Believe This Bird Is Real

Chris Filippou 12:17 PM (3 minutes ago) to me