A sad incident struck Lauderdale-by-the-Sea on Tuesday, February 20, 2024, as a young girl lost her life, and a boy now fights for survival in a local hospital. Both victims were trapped in a sand hole at 4424 El Mar Drive.
Chopper 4’s visuals showed a haunting scene on the beach, with a sand hole cordoned off by police yellow tape and encircled by caution cones. Fire Rescue officials say the young boy is at Broward General Medical Center.
The incident happened when a six-foot-deep sand hole collapsed on the children at Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach. Authorities responded to a distress call around 3 p.m., reporting that a boy and a girl, approximately 9 and 7, dug a hole on the beach with some adults.
Sadly, the sand hole, measuring five to six feet deep, collapsed during the excavation. CBS News Miami obtained a video capturing the heroic efforts of Good Samaritans on the beach. In the video, they tried to rescue the trapped children from the collapsed sandhole. Also, they struggled to prevent further collapse by clinging to the hole’s walls.
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The boy found himself buried up to his chest while the girl was entirely beneath him in the sand. Thanks to the swift response of the Pompano Fire Rescue Officials, they pulled the children out of the dangerous situation.
Regrettably, upon arrival at the hospital, they pronounced the young girl dead. However, the boy continues to be under care at Broward General, where reports say he is in stable condition. Notably, the Broward Sheriff’s Office is taking charge of the investigation, serving as the lead agency.
Experts argue that the girl’s death could have been prevented. They assert that lifeguards undergo training to maintain vigilance, particularly monitoring when children dig deep sandholes. They claim lifeguards ought to intervene should the holes pose any danger.
Ironically, the Lauderdale-by-the-Sea beach features posted signs warning beachgoers about the absence of lifeguards. Moreover, they keep emphasizing swimming at one’s risk. Lifesavers are on posts scattered all across the sand.
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A makeshift memorial for the girl now occupies one of the posts on the beach. Tom Gill, the Vice President of the United States Lifesaving Association, asserts that lifeguards could prevent such tragedy.
Gill emphasizes the potential prevention of the accident, stating, “If we had lifeguards there, could they have prevented this tragedy? I would say 100% yes.” Furthermore, Gill noted that lifeguards undergo training to instruct people not to dig holes exceeding two feet deep.
He also mentioned that lifeguards must intervene, explain the risks, and ensure everyone’s safety when faced with dangerous situations. However, the beach lacked lifeguards. Recognizing budget constraints, Gill said, “I understand budgets and costs. But at the end of the day, you are a beach town in southern Florida.”
He continued, “Let’s protect the people that are coming here, that are spending their money to vacation.” On Thursday, February 22, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea officials announced their intention to address the matter of lifeguards, ordinances, and a proposed memorial for the girl.
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