Man in town for sister's wedding drowns at Atlantic Beach

ATLANTIC BEACH, Fla. — A man was in town for his little sister's wedding when he was pulled under by a wave at Atlantic Beach and later died.

Robert Hickman Jr., 38, was in town from Illinois this weekend.

"Friends and family, yesterday was shaping up to be the best day of my life," his sister wrote on Facebook. "I married a beautiful man in the ceremony of my dreams. Family and friends from near and far came to celebrate with us and my heart was so full of joy. Just a couple hours after leaving my reception I got some devastating news."

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Police said the ocean was pretty rough on Saturday when Hickman was pulled under by a wave at 11th Street and Beach Avenue.

Officers said a family friend tried to get out to Hickman but was not able to reach him.

Action News Jax spoke with a couple who called 911.

Hickman was unconscious when lifeguards got him out of the water. He was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Family posted a video of Hickman before the wedding.

He said he was so happy for his sister on her wedding day and talked about how much he loved her.

His sister said on Facebook that Hickman was an excellent swimmer but no match for the Atlantic Ocean.

She asked that people pray for Hickman's wife and children.

Many people have expressed sadness about his death on Facebook.

Lifeguards tell Action News Jax say rip currents in the ocean are still really strong following Hurricane Matthew.

A red flag was flying at Jacksonville Beach on Sunday, meaning swimmers were encouraged to stay out of the water.

“The bigger waves are pushing people around,” said Capt. Bill Horn with the Volunteer Life Saving Corps. “If you’re in an area where there is a runout it will pull you back out and you won’t be able to get your footing again.”

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