Woman drowns in gulf

PANAMA CITY BEACH — An Indiana woman died Saturday in the fourth reported drowning case in local waters this year.Billy June Riley and Richard Scanlan, both of Hardinsburg, Ind., were swimming in the Gulf of Mexico in front of 17878 Front Beach Road shortly before 4:30 p.m. when they both began to have trouble, Panama City Beach Police officials said in a news release.Rescue workers pulled both of them from the water.

Riley was transported to Gulf Coast Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead, police reported.Scanlan also was transported to Gulf Coast, where he was in stable condition Saturday evening, hospital officials said.

Beach officials said the pair were near an outer sandbar when they realized they needed help.

Swimmers in the gulf must remain aware of how different the water is there compared to a pond, a pool or a river, said Maj. David Humphreys of the Panama City Beach Police Department. At times, even strong swimmers can find themselves in trouble, he added.

“It can be unpredictable at times,” Humphreys said of the gulf.

This was the county’ second drowning in eight days. Patrick Kane’s body was pulled from the gulf  on May 10 during the 1.2-mile swim portion of the Gulf Coast Triathlon. Kane 38, of Roswell, Ga., died later that day at Bay Medical Center. His death was ruled an accidental drowning by the Bay Medical Examiner’s Office.

A Bayou George boy drowned in a pond in February. William Zeke Wright, 2, disappeared from view while riding his toy vehicle outside his home on Joan Road. Sheriff’s deputies found him in a nearby pond and were unable to revive him.On Feb. 3, Panama City police found the body of Frank Phelan, 39, in a wooded area near Massalina Bayou. Police said he was heavily intoxicated when he drowned.