12-year-old boy dies after being swept away by a rip current in South Florida
The child, who was swimming with three other kids, disappeared in the water and was found lifeless hours later.
A 12-year-old boy lost his life on Friday afternoon after being swept away by a strong rip current at a beach in Fort Lauderdale, in Broward County.
At the time of the tragic incident, the minor was accompanied by his basketball team.
The boy was swimming alongside three other teammates when he disappeared in the water.
He was found deceased hours later, despite a extensive search operation that mobilized rescuers, divers, boats, helicopters, and volunteers.
Emergency at the beach
The Fort Lauderdale Rescue Department received the first emergency call at 4:42 p.m. on April 18th and immediately launched a massive search and rescue operation.
Units from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Fort Lauderdale Fire Department, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, private boats, and surveillance helicopters participated as part of a joint effort to locate the missing minor.
The search focused on the waters near 800 Seabreeze Boulevard, close to Harbor Drive and the International Swimming Hall of Fame.
All those involved are members of Team Jordan, composed mainly of secondary school students, who were in Fort Lauderdale as part of a recreational activity.
“I suppose it was very difficult for them to get back in, and they caught my son and the other boy… A child was out there, and they kept saying: ‘He’s out there, he’s out there, there’s another one out there,’” said the mother of one of the deceased boy’s classmates in statements to the local press.
Three of the children were rescued by the rescuers and taken to the shore, but the fourth – who was wearing orange shorts – could not be found.
“We just saw all the rescuers running towards the water, and there were many police officers everywhere,” commented Ruth Gómez, who was at the scene, in statements to Telemundo 51.
“It was a terrifying scene. There were rescuers at both ends of the water, as well as civilians who were in the water, all running to try to help,” another witness added.
Body recovery
The search efforts continued intensively despite the difficult weather conditions, with strong waves and intense winds.
The visibility underwater was limited, and the depth increased dangerously beyond the safety buoys.
Finally, shortly after 8:00 p.m., divers from the Fort Lauderdale police rescue team managed to locate the child’s body.
Authorities attribute the tragedy to an accidental drowning in the context of dangerous rip currents.
Additionally, a warning has been issued for small vessels in the region, including the Florida Keys, due to strong winds that hinder navigation and increase the risk in open waters.
As of the publication of this report, the name of the deceased child has not been disclosed.
Warnings and recommendations
Authorities reiterate crucial recommendations for swimmers in light of this type of phenomenon:
– Never swim at beaches without lifeguard supervision.
If you become caught in a rip current, do not fight against it.
Instead, swim parallel to the shore until you exit the current and then return diagonally.
If you can’t swim, float and stay visible until rescued.
What happened to the boy in Fort Lauderdale?
A 12-year-old boy died after being swept away by a rip current while swimming with his basketball teammates at a beach in Fort Lauderdale. Despite an extensive search operation, he was found deceased hours later.
How was the search operation conducted?
The operation included rescuers, divers, boats, and helicopters that quickly mobilized after receiving the emergency alert. Units from the Coast Guard, the Fire Department, and the Broward Sheriff’s Office, among others, participated.
What recommendations do authorities offer to prevent tragedies at sea?
Authorities recommend never swimming at beaches without lifeguard supervision and, in the event of being caught in a rip current, not to fight against it. It is advised to swim parallel to the shore until you are out of the current and to seek help if escape is not possible.
Why are rip currents dangerous in Florida?
Rip currents are a significant danger because they can quickly and silently pull even the best swimmers away from the shore. They are responsible for many deaths on Florida’s beaches every year.
