JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. — Lifeguards are urging beachgoers to stay out of the water after a Michigan man drowned while saving his young daughter from rough surf at Jacksonville Beach on Saturday.
Police said 28-year-old William Moritz went into the water to rescue his 6-year-old daughter at 8th Street North before noon.
A gofundme page for Moritz, who goes by Bill, said a tide pulled his daughter into the water and he dove in to get her.
Someone on the beach grabbed the young girl when she got close to shore, Jacksonville Beach police said.
Moritz and his daughter were taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police said.
The girl's condition is unknown.
Lifeguard officials said they rescued several other people from conditions that they are calling extremely dangerous.
Waves are extremely rough with rip currents up and down the beach, lifeguards said.
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28-year-old William Moritz died after saving daughter from rough surf at Jacksonville Beach https://t.co/sbp8i1QPUs pic.twitter.com/vknqsbNtiQ
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) April 17, 2016
ROUGH conditions at area beaches. Please don't get in water! HIGH Rip Current Risk. #FirstAlertWX pic.twitter.com/MOR65vecRb
— Garrett Bedenbaugh (@wxgarrett) April 16, 2016
Father dies after saving daughter in one of several ocean rescues in Jacksonville Beach: https://t.co/sbp8i1QPUs pic.twitter.com/Tfd3Xya2CR
— ActionNewsJax (@ActionNewsJax) April 16, 2016
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