FORT PIERCE — Lifeguards rescued a swimmer in distress Monday afternoon in rough surf conditions just a few hundred yards off South Beach Park, according to local officials.
Emergency crews responded to a reported drowning March 30 and learned upon arrival that lifeguards, who had been preparing to leave for the day, were alerted to the swimmer and reentered the water to assist.
With most equipment already secured, the lifeguards entered the ocean with only a life ring and swam out through 4- to 6-foot surf and dangerous rip currents to reach the victim…