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 DESTIN, Florida (AP) --Five people drowned and nearly 40 others were rescued during the weekend as stormy weather churned the surf along the beaches of the Florida Panhandle, officials said. The victims ranged in age from 9 to 62; four were visiting the area from other states, including Illinois, Texas, Georgia and Indiana, officials said. One of those who drowned was Larry LaMotte, 60, of Atlanta, who died at Grayton Beach. LaMotte was one of CNN's first bureau chiefs, joining the company in 1980, but was no longer working for CNN at the time of his death, said spokeswoman Megan Mahoney. He was the cable network's first bureau chief in Dallas and later was bureau chief in Los Angeles and Washington. He also was a national correspondent in Atlanta. A sheriff's helicopter flew along the beach Sunday to warn people to stay out of the water, and red warning flags were displayed on the second day of wild weather. Storms had moved out of the area Monday and water was calmer along the shore. "We've had a very, very busy day," said Walton County Sheriff's Capt. Danny Glidewell. "I've been here a long time, and I don't remember any day as bad as this." In Walton County, at least 28 people were pulled from the water. In neighboring Okaloosa County, at least 10 were rescued. Lifesaving Resources Inc. - www.lifesaving.com - 603/563-8330 |
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