A family beach day took a harrowing turn at Fort Lauderdale Beach near the B Ocean Resort on Seabreeze Boulevard when a young girl began struggling in the water, leading to a near-drowning incident that has left three people hospitalized. NBC Miami reports that the occurrence took place yesterday around 7:20 p.m., shortly after lifeguards had finished their day and were no longer on duty.
Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue was dispatched to the scene following 911 calls that came in almost 20 minutes after the lifeguards had signed off for the day the girl's father attempted to help her and subsequently a good Samaritan became involved but quickly became overwhelmed by the water conditions, according to statements obtained by NBC Miami. Lifeguards, who had not yet departed the vicinity, responded swiftly; "The lifeguards were able to get in and pull the daughter out," shared Battalion Chief Danny Moran, though the father unfortunately went under.
WSVN disclosed that Ocean Rescue lieutenants heard the call and were able to turn around and aid the rescue efforts. They brought the girl safely back to shore; however, her father was missing initially and had to be found underwater during a subsequent search.
Lifesaving measures were performed on the shore, once the father was located and pulled from the water, meanwhile, the third rescuer, who had jumped into the fray, managed to exit the water on his own but not without suffering injuries, in these tense situations, every second counted and the swift actions of the Ocean Rescue team were critical in preventing a greater tragedy. The trio was transported to Broward Health Medical Center, and as reported by WSVN, one adult has life-threatening injuries, though the current conditions of all involved are still unknown.
On the same day, another child was reportedly taken to the hospital after nearly drowning in a pool in the Fort Lauderdale area, but was said to be awake and breathing en route to the hospital, as per NBC Miami.
