A summer day at the beach south of Port Aransas turned tragic on Wednesday when a 5-year-old boy drowned after being out of his grandparents' sight for only a few minutes, authorities said. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital despite extensive resuscitation efforts.
The child was found in the water near beach mile marker 45. A Port Aransas police officer, a Texas Game Warden and a lifeguard immediately performed CPR and other life-saving measures until Emergency Medical Services arrived, according to KRIS 6 News. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Port Aransas police said the department is continuing to investigate the circumstances.
Beach Season Hazards On Mustang Island
The drowning occurred on July 22 and is the latest in a string of summertime tragedies in the Port Aransas area, which has seen at least one drowning nearly every summer in recent years, according to MySA. The outlet reported that the boy had been visiting the beach with his grandparents when he briefly went out of their sight before being found in the water.
Officials Urge Active Supervision
Port Aransas Police Lt. Mike Hannon urged parents and caregivers to be realistic about a child's swimming ability and to use U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices when appropriate, according to KRIS 6 News. He cautioned that water conditions can change quickly and that rip currents can pull swimmers away from shore in a matter of seconds, even close to the beach.
Resources And Safety Tips
The National Weather Service warns that rip currents can form even on seemingly calm days and advises beachgoers to swim near lifeguards and to check local beach and surf forecasts before getting in the water.
The American Red Cross recommends that children and inexperienced swimmers wear properly fitted U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. The organization also advises that adults keep young children within arm's reach at all times in or near the water and designate a focused "water watcher" whenever others are swimming.
