13-year-old boy drowns in Gulf off Destin; several minors rescued

A 13-year-old tourist drowned in the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle on Friday as several children were seen struggling in the water, authorities said.

The teen was identified as a boy from Kentucky who was visiting the area.

Okaloosa County sheriff’s deputies were called to 3690 Scenic Hwy. 98 in Destin around 11:30 a.m. Friday on a call of a distressed swimmer.

Authorities learned surfers helped rescue several minors they saw struggling in the water about 65 miles off shore, but one child could not be located.

The 13-year-old victim’s body was later located in Gulf waters by the sheriff’s office’s marine unit.