On July 14, the Peppermans and members of their extended family relaxed on a beach near Panama City. Even though Tropical Storm Barry was in the area and double red flags warning beach goers to stay out of the water were flying, Julie said the “water was fine.”
At one point the Pepperman’s 16-year-old daughter, Grace, began to struggle in the water. Her two older sisters, Olivia, 20, and Kathryn, 24, attempted to rescue her. They also became trapped.
Fred went in after them and used all of his strength to pull them out of the dangerous waters.
Colette James, Fred’s sister-in-law who witnessed the tragedy, shared Fred’s last words to his daughter with TODAY Parents.
“Kathryn said, ‘Daddy, help me,'” and he said, ‘I got you.'”
As the girls made their way back to shore, the Tennessee father fell unconscious. Three good Samaritans pulled him to safety and performed CPR before he was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
“Without him, three of mine definitely would be gone,” Julie said. “It doesn’t seem real.”
Following the horrible incident, Colette said she hopes that more is done to warn tourists about the meanings of flags that fly at beaches. She explained that her family was from out of town and was unaware what the double red flags meant.
“No family should go on vacation and have this experience when it could have been helped or prevented.”
In addition to bringing awareness to beach warning systems, she set up a GoFundMe for the Pepperman family. According to the page, any funds raised will be used to help put the girls through school.
“You did good, Freddie. Our girls are safe. You saved your family,” Julie wrote in a Facebook post thanking those who have kept her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Share this on Facebook to remember Fred’s final selfless act, and let’s pray for his family.