Link to the GoFundMe: Support for Emily Jennings family

(WGGB/WSHM) -- A follow up on the heroic, but devastating, story of a father who gave his life to rescue two of his children from a rip current. 46-year-old Ryan Jennings, originally from Longmeadow, drowned at Juno Beach in Florida, after pushing his 12-year-old son and holding his 9-year-old daughter above the current until rescuers arrived.

Now, Western Mass News is learning more about Ryan, and the rescue he made, after speaking with his mother, “And, you know, he was oftentimes bigger than life, you know. And my husband and I and his sister will, I don’t think there’s a day [that could] go by that we won’t miss him.”

Gail Mclaughlin Toti, the mother of Ryan Jennings, picked up her son from the airport that morning, excited to spend the easter holiday with her family. Ryan took his wife, Emily, and their three children to the local beach, like he’s done dozens of times before.

Hours later, Gail received a jarring call from Emily that would change all of their lives forever, “And, you know, I got this call from Emily screaming that the kids and Ryan were in the ocean.”

Two of the children were swimming in the ocean when they were caught in the rip currents. Witnesses say Ryan didn’t hesitate, immediately swimming after them. Gail and her husband rushed across to Juno Beach where first responders were just arriving. Ryan was able to rescue his 12-year-old son and his 9-year-old daughter from the rip current, but he couldn’t save himself.

Gail explained that moment to us, “It’s the worst thing a parent could ever experience is seeing their child. You know, and I think both my husband and I instinctively knew, you know, that although they were trying to help Ryan, there was no pulse. And, you know, they were quick to respond. The first responder team was amazing. And we are forever grateful for all that they did for both our son, but also our grandchildren.”

Not only is Ryan’s wife Emily now left with three children, but Gail said that they were just given the news on the day of Ryan’s passing that Emily is pregnant with their fourth child; something the family feels is a beacon of light during this devastating time, “And then Em has one on the way who will never meet her dad or who we don’t know yet. Him or her will never meet her dad. But, you know, that’s another piece of our Ryan. So, we feel like really blessed about that.”

Gail wants to emphasize her gratitude towards those first responders but also wants to bring light to such a common issue when it comes to beach safety.

According to the National Weather Service, an average of 19 people die each year in Florida alone as a result of rip currents.

On Western Mass News at 6, we’ll talk about rip current safety, and why Gail claims that not enough is being done to prevent situations similar to Ryan’s.

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