"Within 48 hours, he was gone:" A man from Tennessee dies from a flesh-eating bacteria in Gulf waters

MEMPHIS, Tenn. –

A man from Memphis died of a flesh-eating bacteria over the weekend after a recent trip to the beach.

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The victim's family said she knew that some bacteria could be infected through open wounds and cuts, but she did not know that her compromised immune system could also put her at risk.

"We would never have left my father in the water if we had known he should not have gone there, if it was so easy for him to catch something," said Cheryl Wiygul, the girl of the victim.

Wiygul told the WHBQ that his parents were visiting Destin Beach, Florida last week.

Less than 12 hours later, Wiygul said that his father had started to get sick. At first, she thought it was related to her treatment for cancer.

However, when he returned to Memphis, a great black wound was on his back. Then red bumps formed on his arms and legs.

"It was something we had never seen before, and only hours after arriving at the hospital, he had to be at the ICU. He fired a septic tank and went into cardiac arrest, "said Wiygul. "Within 48 hours of being in that water, he's gone."

According to Wiygul, his father died of bacteria that already exist naturally in the Gulf of Mexico, but the symptoms that feed on flesh are usually very rare.

However, Wiygul said the family had no idea that his compromised immune system would put him at greater risk of being infected with the bacteria.

She recounted what happened to her father on Facebook and now she wants more warnings about possible risks posted on signs when heading to beaches and national parks.

"I do not want to keep people off the beach. I love the beach, my father loved the beach. It was his favorite place, but it's not worth your life, "Wiygul said. "So, maybe you have to reprogram if you have a big break or just an operation, do not go to the beach.

"At least you can go next year, as now my father can not go next year."

An infectious disease specialist told WHBQ this week that these flesh-eating bacteria are very rare.

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