MIRAMAR BEACH, Fla. -- A man is dead following a water rescue incident near Miramar Beach Regional Beach Access Saturday afternoon.

South Walton Fire Rescue responded to 2375 Scenic Gulf Drive at around 1:56 p.m. in response to multiple distressed swimmers.

Lifeguards made contact with several swimmers approximately 150 yards offshore, who alerted them of a man around 20 years of age that the swimmers had lost sight of.

Two more lifeguards and South Walton Fire District Advanced Life Support then arrived at the scene.

A lifeguard signaled at "Code X" at 2:04 p.m., which initiates the search for a missing swimmer.

The man was located at 2:16 p.m., where he was then brought back onto shore by lifeguards but sadly pronounced dead.

Single red flags were flying at the time the incident occurred, which indicate high surf hazards and the presence of dangerous rip currents.

The first district would like to remind the public that the 2023 Beach Safety Season will begin on March 1, with the staffing of lifeguard towers and full-scale beach safety operations. Until that date, lifeguards are patrolling 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day in accordance with off-season protocol.

Lifeguards encourage beach patrons to heed the beach flag warning system at all times. For daily beach flag updates, text SAFETY to 31279.