Georgia man drowns off Cape San Blas
A 47-year-old Georgia man perished in the waters off Cape San Blas Sunday afternoon.
According to the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office, at about 2 p.m. ET, deputies responded to a 911 call regarding a possible drowning in the 3800 block of Cape San Blas Road.
When deputies arrived, emergency personnel from Gulf County EMS and South Gulf Fire Rescue were on the scene and engaged in lifesaving efforts, read the release.
The rip currents claimed the life of Timothy Franklin, 47, of Georgia. He leaves behind wife Crystal and their children, Eli and Tee. A GoFundMe, created to help the Franklin family navigate this loss, has so far, raised over $34,000 toward a $55,000 goal.
On Sunday, double red flags, which close the waters to the publicc, were posted for north St. Joseph Peninsula (from the south end of the rock revetment and continuing northward), including William J “Billy Joe” Rish Recreation Area and T. H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park, For south St. Joseph Peninsula (which begins at the Eglin property and continues southward) and Indian Pass were yellow, which indicate a moderate hazard of surf and currents.
“He was swimming with a family member when he suddenly became caught in a rip-current,” read the release.
“The Gulf County Sheriff’s Office is grateful for the numerous members of the community that have wrapped themselves around the Franklin family to provide support during this incredibly difficult time,” said Sheriff Mike Harrison. “This is a heartbreaking incident and the family remains in our thoughts and prayers.”
Meet the Editor
David Adlerstein, The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.
Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.
In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.