Tragedy at Main Beach: riptide claims veteran/father

A U.S. Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan died in the waters off of Main Beach while trying to rescue  his son and nephew from a powerful riptide.

Joshua Curtis, 38, was with his family at the Main Beach Park last Thursday when strong rip currents began forming and Curtis began attempting to rescue his 6-year-old son and niece. The children were rescued by a bystander and first responders, and survived, but Curtis was recovered unresponsive from the ocean.

He was pronounced dead at a hospital.

His wife Barbara Curtis told News4JAX, “He was a hero, he loved his son, he loved being a dad, he was a great husband.” She said he spent 15 years in the Army, earning the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

Curtis and his family were visiting Fernandina Beach from Halifax, Massachusetts. His mother lives in Camden County.

According to the Fernandina Beach Police Department, Officer Colby Albert answered a call to Main Beach, where he witnessed several subjects in the water, and in distress. 

Albert wrote in his report: "Fire rescue, officers and a bystander (Lane James) were able to recover two juvenile subjects from the water. The final subject that was taken to shore (Joshua Curtis) was found unresponsive in the water. Curtis was transported to Baptist Nassau where he was pronounced deceased at 20:08 hours by attending emergency physician Kylie Wainer."

His report stated: "Investigation and interviews with witnesses revealed that the three juveniles were playing in the water when two of the juveniles became in distress. It is unclear from statements if  Joshua was already in the water or entered upon observing the juveniles in distress. When Joshua attempted to rescue the two distressed juveniles he also became distressed and then unresponsive in the water. Bystander (Lane James) entered the water to retrieve the first juvenile, brought her back to shore and re entered the water and made contact with the distressed juvenile and Joshua who he observed unresponsive. At this point rescue personnel arrived on scene and retrieved the juvenile and Joshua who was still unresponsive."