A 12-year-old boy from Lake Worth, who was visiting Fort Lauderdale Beach with the Team Jordan Basketball Club, has been found dead after he disappeared during an ocean swim yesterday. According to Local 10 News, the search for the boy lasted almost two hours and involved multiple agencies, including Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, the Fort Lauderdale Police Department, and Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue. Frank Ortiz, a FLFR spokesman, initially stated that the search had ended without locating anyone.
The conditions at sea were dangerous with a high rip current risk, which will persist through tomorrow evening; rip currents have the capability to pull even seasoned swimmers away from the relative safety of the shore into deeper waters, according to Local 10 News. The police dive team later discovered the boy's body, and while the incident is suspected to be "an accidental drowning," a death investigation will be conducted by the FLPD as stated by spokeswoman Casey Liening.
Meanwhile, 7News reported that the boy was part of a group of four swimmers from the basketball team that encountered difficulty while swimming due to the rough surf. Lifeguards and civilians at the scene collaborated in a complex rescue effort that successfully brought three of the swimmers to shore but failed to immediately locate the 12-year-old who was wearing orange shorts. A witness, Ruth Gomez, described the urgency of the moment as lifeguards and law enforcement officials descended on the waters.
The missing boy's teammates, part of the Team Jordan travel team composed mostly of middle school-aged boys, witnessed the search from the beach, which should have been the start of a leisurely holiday weekend, turned somber with the devastating news of their friend’s passing. "Today’s Good Friday; it shouldn't be like that. We should be praying to see if everybody's OK," a teenager expressed in an interview with 7News; meanwhile, a teammate’s mother said, "No parent wants to do this, so, of course we’re here for the boys. They still have hope."
In response to the incident, authorities have reiterated warnings about the dangers of rip currents, advising swimmers to refrain from fighting against them and instead swim parallel to shore until they escape the current's pull. Additionally, there were advisories for only swimming at guarded beaches and caution pertaining to a small craft advisory due to strong winds that were also in effect for the Florida Keys, as reported by 7News. Further updates regarding this tragic incident will likely follow as investigations continue.
